Welco workers qualify for aid

A federal program that provides financial aid to workers who lose their jobs has been approved for the 93 employees who lost their jobs at Welco Lumber in Naples.

Meetings for workers to learn more about the Trade Adjustment Assistance program will be held Friday, Feb. 19, and Tuesday, Feb. 23, at the Idaho Department of Labor in Bonners Ferry.

Workers who are eligible may receive retraining, job search and relocation allowances, a health care coverage tax credit and a weekly paycheck while in training after unemployment benefits run out.

Welco in October announced it would close, eliminating jobs that paid between $10.46 and $25.44 an hour plus benefits; the average employee was paid $15.05 an hour. The layoff is expected to boost Boundary County’s unemployment rate to 20 percent, the highest among Idaho’s 44 counties.

The decision was, in large part, a result of weak demand for fencing products brought on by the sluggish housing market.

Employees who remained on until the mill closed received a severance. The severance was one week’s pay for every year of employment up to four years or a minimum of $1,000.

Employees qualified for unemployment compensation, which normally lasts six months. The length of time for some Welco workers could vary.

Workers were expected to be notified by mail about the Trade Adjustment Assistance. At meetings, they can fill out a form to determine eligibility.

Eligible workers must enroll in training or apply for a training waiver within a certain time period.