Washington, D.C.  -  The U.S. Department of Labor has approved Avondale Mills’ application for Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA), clearing the way for Avondale employees in Sylacauga and Pell City to receive critical retraining, wage, and healthcare assistance from the Federal government, Congressmen Mike Rogers and Spencer Bachus said today.

Both Congressmen said the assistance, which is available for all Avondale employees, will help cushion last month’s devastating closure announcement. TAA provides up to two years of Federal assistance to workers who have lost their jobs because of foreign competition.

“With or without this assistance, the people of Avondale will recover,” Rogers said. “Nevertheless, I am grateful the Labor Department has approved this assistance, and hope it helps many of these talented and hardworking employees transition to their next career.”

“The employees of Avondale Mills are some of the best and brightest in our area.  They are hard workers who are loyal and committed to their company and their communities.  I am delighted the U.S. Department of Labor has expedited the process to provide training and assistance as these workers begin a career transition,” said Congressman Spencer Bachus.

Rogers said he and Bachus met with Assistant Labor Secretary DeRocco recently in Washington to discuss expediting Avondale’s TAA application. On June 5th, Rogers and Bachus wrote Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao, to support the application.

“In the past, your agency has been forthright in approving previous requests for assistance for other Alabama textile workers.  We request that you continue to work in close concert with Gov. Bob Riley and make available all possible Federal job training and placement resources to the State and to those workers who have lost their jobs.”

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