Over the past nine months, thousands of industrial workers in Oregon have lost their jobs from the combined effects of global trade, a slowing economy and the regional energy crisis. The regional energy crisis has forced the layoff and furlough of thousands of workers in the aluminum, steel and metals industries and threatens the livelihoods of thousands more in these and other energy-intensive industries. The human toll is even worse. Workers with decades of experience are being cut loose by their employers.
Families face reduced incomes, loss of health insurance and uncertain futures.
The causes of these job losses demand large-scale solutions at the federal and regional level. And, we must find a way to regain and maintain adequate supplies of affordable power for industry and consumers. We must make sure that the state of Oregon responds appropriately to the plight of displaced workers. Apart from federal funding for the retraining of workers displaced as the result of foreign trade, there is very little assistance now available to address the needs of Oregon s growing ranks of dislocated workers. Oregon s unemployment benefits are capped at 26 weeks.