Boxer, Feinstein and Stark Urge Help for NUMMI Workers

Washington, DC – U.S. Senators Barbara Boxer and Dianne Feinstein (both D-CA) as well as Congressman Pete Stark (D-CA) sent a letter last night urging Labor Secretary Hilda Solis to approve the State of California’s request for Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) for workers at the New United Motor Manufacturing, Inc. (NUMMI) facility.

NUMMI workers would become eligible for job training, job search and relocation assistance, and tax credits to cover health insurance costs.

The text of the letter follows:

November 12, 2009

The Honorable Hilda Solis

Secretary of Labor

U.S. Department of Labor

200 Constitution Ave. NW
Washington, DC 20210

Dear Secretary Solis:

We write to support the petition for Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) submitted on behalf of the workers at the New United Motor Manufacturing, Inc. (NUMMI) facility located in Fremont, California. As you know, this summer, both General Motors and Toyota announced separately that both companies would cease purchasing vehicles produced at the facility.

The NUMMI facility employs 4,700 workers in the Bay Area. The closure of NUMMI will create a significant financial burden for these families and have a significant economic impact on the entire state of California. The news of the closure comes at an especially difficult time for working families in California as our state’s unemployment rate stands at 12.2 percent. Workers need immediate relief provided through the TAA program to receive necessary job training and reemployment services.

We urge you to assist these families during this difficult time by quickly approving the State of California’s TAA petition on behalf of the workers at NUMMI. Thank you for your consideration of this important request and we look forward to your timely response.

Sincerely,

Barbara Boxer

United States Senator

Dianne Feinstein

United States Senator

Pete Stark

United States Congressman

###