Department of Labor Ready to Assist Rail Workers

July 17, 2013

Rapid Response will reach out to workers who may face layoffs due to Lac-M?gantic tragedy

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 17, 2013
Contact: Julie Rabinowitz, 207-621-5009

Rapid Response will reach out to workers who may face layoffs due to Lac-M?gantic tragedy

AUGUSTA ? The Rapid Response team of the Maine Department of Labor has prepared a plan to support any workers who may face a layoff from the Montreal, Maine and Atlantic Railway (MMA) while the tracks are repaired in the wake of the tragedy in Lac-M?gantic, Quebec.

The U.S. Railroad Retirement Board administers the unemployment benefit program for railroad workers. Affected MMA workers would not participate in the state-funded unemployment system but would be eligible to use the services of the CareerCenter system, including the Maine Job Bank, and other programs of the Department of Labor.

The Rapid Response program of the Bureau of Employment Services assists workers facing job loss due to downsizing or closures. The Department of Labor can advise and assist employers and employees with information about their rights, responsibilities and obligations during such an event to safeguard the economic stability of workers and the surrounding community.

To find out more about the Rapid Response program, contact your local CareerCenter. The Bureau of Employment Services provides a variety of employment and training services for Maine workers, businesses and jobseekers through the Maine CareerCenter network, http://www.mainecareercenter.com/ .

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