WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King announced today that the petition for Trade Adjustment Assistance for the more than 500 workers displaced from Verso Paper has been approved by the U.S. Department of Labor.
 
Displaced workers will be eligible for employment training in another job or career, income support, job search allowances, and relocation services for those individuals who obtain jobs outside of their normal commuting area.
 
“The closure of Verso Paper was a significant blow to the workers and to the Bucksport community. This assistance will be critical in helping them as they pursue alternative job opportunities,” said Senators Collins and King in a joint statement. “We will continue to work together to support the workers, and their families, affected by this layoff to help ensure that they receive the federal assistance and resources that they need to move forward.”
 
The purpose of the TAA program is to aid workers who lose their jobs or whose hours of work and wages decrease as a result of increased imports.  In October, Senators Collins and King sent a letter to Labor Secretary Thomas Perez urging him to quickly approve this assistance.
 

###