Courtney Statement on Victory for Former Garbo Lobster Employees following Trade Adjustment Assistant Status Declaration by U.S. Department of Labor | Congressman Joe Courtney
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Courtney Statement on Victory for Former Garbo Lobster Employees following Trade Adjustment Assistant Status Declaration by U.S. Department of Labor

February 14, 2019

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-02) released the following statement after the U.S. Department of Labor announced certification of employees of East Coast Seafood, LLC (Garbo Lobster) as eligible for Trade Adjustment Assistance benefits.

"Today's announcement by the U.S. Department of Labor certifying laid-off Garbo Lobster employees for Trade Adjustment Assistance is a great victory for the men and women who were impacted the mass layoff on January 17," said Congressman Courtney. "It is particularly impressive because it was the workers, not the employer, who initiated this certification from the Department of Labor, which is extremely unusual. The Trade Adjustment Assistance program will provide enhanced benefits to these folks, opening the door to job training opportunities, in addition to unemployment benefits, so that they can be connected with Connecticut's job market quickly and successfully. The teamwork displayed by Commissioner Westby and the Connecticut Department of Labor, the employees, and my office's staff really paid off exactly as this federal law intended."

Congressman Courtney has been involved in helping the former employees of Garbo Lobster to seek Trade Adjustment Assistance through the U.S. Department of Labor since the closure was announced on January 7, 2019.

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