Cook Inlet Processing Employees Ruled Eligible For Taa Benefits

Mar. 13, 2003
No. 03-11

Juneau: Laid off workers from Cook Inlet Processing of Kodiak are eligible to apply for Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) benefits, Greg O'Claray, Commissioner of the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development (DLWD) announced today. Approximately 204 workers who had been laid off from Cook Inlet Processing can now apply for TAA retraining and job search and relocation assistance.

On March 3, 2003, the U.S. Department of Labor certified that Cook Inlet Processing of Kodiak was eligible for TAA benefits due to the increase of salmon product imports which had a direct negative affect on the company. The certification will expire on March 3, 2005.

All workers who are laid off from Cook Inlet Processing beginning November 14, 2001 through March 3, 2005 are eligible to apply for TAA benefits. Trade benefits include reemployment and retraining opportunities, job search and career counseling, job placement and relocation allowances.

Workers who were employed by Cook Inlet for at least 26 weeks in the 52 week period prior to their separation date AND who are eligible for unemployment insurance will also be entitled to weekly Trade Readjustment Allowances, which are income supports, and a health insurance tax credit.

The Department of Labor TAA Office has contacted Cook Inlet Processing officials to identify impacted workers and will be moving quickly to notify laid off individuals of their eligibility to apply for benefits.

Self-employed fishermen who sold their fish to Cook Inlet Processing may also be eligible for benefits, but will need to file a petition in order to seek certification. The department's TAA office is available to help any fishermen with tips and short-form instructions for petition filing. Petitions can be printed from the TAA website at jobs.alaska.gov/taa (click on the yellow fishing boat).

"It has taken more time than we wanted but we're finally starting to see the benefits of the Trade Adjustment Assistance program for our fishermen and our communities," said Commissioner O'Claray. "As was the case with Wards Cove, Cook Inlet Processing qualified for Trade Assistance because it was able to show the negative impacts resulting from the rise of imported and farmed salmon. Hopefully, as more processors petition for Trade Assistance, more self-employed fishermen will become eligible" said O'Claray.

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