Letter to Ithaca-area businesses on the new federal plant closing law

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Sa ar a ee = EE

kin land Labor liti
representing over 7,000 workers

United Autoworkers #2300 « International Assoc’
Service Employees #200 « Ironworkers #60 + United University Professions

Ithaca Police Benevolent Association « Carpenters #603 + Plumbers and Pipefi i

r ‘ va ipefitters #109 » Painters #178
International Typographers Union « Electricians #961 « Ithaca City School District Employees « Teamsters #65
Electricians #241 © Trumansburg Teachers Association » United Autoworkers #1326 » TC3 Faculty Association
Civil Service Employees Association #605 » Musicians #132 + Civil Service Employees Association #812

March 13,1989

Dear

Since 1985 the Tompkins/Cortland Labor Coalition has made public its
distress over the plant closings and large workforce reductions which have
plagued this country and this region. Locally, this trend appears to have
abated and in some small fashion reversed itself. Some new manufacturing
jobs have opened up and for that we are all quite happy. Still, concern
exists in our community over the potential of further loss of good paying
jobs and the need for advance notification of major fluctuations in
employment.

We are pleased to enclose a copy of the new federal Plant Closing Law,
called the "Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act." Also en-
closed you will find a brief sheet highlighting the law, entitled “Highlights
of the 1988 Plant Closing Law."

While the federal law is a beginning, we do not feel that it fully
addresses the significant impact plant closings have on individuals and
communities. And while we know that there is not unanimity of thought on
this topic we would like to continue the discussion of this most important
issue. Likewise, the City of Ithaca is concerned about job loss and has
provided funds to the Labor Coalition to do research into varying aspects
of job loss and plant closings.

Last year, the Ithaca Common Council affirmed its support of advance
notitication by voting to include in its lease agreements, with businesses
moving into the city industrial parks, a statement asking for 90 days advance
notice of intended closings or large layoffs. Also, last year the Governor
signed the New York State Compact with business and labor encouraging advance -
notification of intended closings or large layoffs. At all levels of avert
ment the importance of advance notice has been recognized and aateessets

In a recent survey of former Ithaca Gun employees, the vast majority F
of whom were skilled machinists with over 12 years seniority, the amount o
notice given of the plant closing was less than 24 hours. Most of hess
workers stil] have not recovered from the economic and social havoc one
closing created in their lives. After 2% years most have still not begun
to earn the wages they were making when they were laid off, many aye no
health insurance and most have had to severely cut back on personal _
expenditures, The cost to the state and local taxpayers has been signi-
ficant as well. The average length of unemployment was about peon ths
with most people using all of their 26 weeks unemployment benefits. Many

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had to seek additional i ;
peste: social services such as food stamps, medicaid and

It is clear that our local experi i

perience mirrors the national picture.

The results of our Ithaca Gun survey give us a clear idea of any tay

SOLS iy Seat iange layoffs in our area. Even six months notice
; ime to completely ad i

beeen eater ihin enutdeun: 9) y address the multitude of problems

; The bottom line is that as much time as possible
jis needed to retrain workers, help them find new employment.and deal with

the economic impacts on our community. Therefore, we would like to en-
courage local businesses to fully understand the current federal law and
make a further commitment to at least 90 days advance notification of a
closing or large layoff.

Further, we would like to take this opportunity to meet with you and

discuss the law. We would be interested in your thoughts on prospective
employment needs and related issues.

: Someone from our office will be
contacting you in the very near future.
Thank-you for your consideration of these matters.

Sincerely,

Coert Bonthius, Staffperson
Tompkins/Cortland Labor Coalition
109 West State Street

Ithaca, NY 14850

(607) 277-5670