For Release: Wednesday, November 19, 2003
Contact: David Gillies: 202-225-5661

COSTELLO ANNOUNCES BENEFITS FOR WIRCO CASTINGS, INC AND PROFESSIONAL STAFFING, INC

Washington - Congressman Jerry Costello (D-IL) has received confirmation from the U. S. Department of Labor that the workers at Wirco Castings in New Athens, including leased workers from Professional Staffing, Inc., will be eligible for worker adjustment assistance and alternative trade adjustment assistance. The workers produced grey iron castings.

The decision reads, "All workers of Wirco Castings, New Athens, Illinois, and leased workers of Professional Services.who became totally or partially separated from employment on or after October 7, 2002 through two years from the date of certification are eligible to apply for adjustment assistance.and are also eligible to apply for alternative trade adjustment assistance.."

"The ruling allows the displaced workers to receive additional unemployment benefits, job training, relocation expense reimbursement, and other services," Costello noted. "We continue to lose good manufacturing jobs to illegal trade activity. We must continue to take steps to keep our jobs across a variety of industries - retaining the current steel tariffs is a critical step in this process."

Costello is a member of the Congressional Steel Caucus, and has been very active on issues affecting the domestic steel industry. He urged the President to direct the ITC to undertake a Section 201 investigation of steel imports in 2001, and Costello testified before the ITC to make the case for strong relief. The ITC determined later that year that the U.S. steel industry has been significantly harmed by illegal foreign imports. Costello then asked President Bush to enact 40% tariffs; the President decided on 30% tariffs on selected steel products in March of 2002. Since then, Costello has urged President Bush to maintain a strong tariff regime.

###