Pennsylvania directs aid to workers affected by Steris closure

Pennsylvania Governor Edward G. Rendell on Friday instructed state agencies to provide immediate and comprehensive job-assistance services to 450 employees affected by Steris Corp.'s decision to close its Erie, Pa., manufacturing facility within the next 18 months. The Ohio-based company announced this week that it will transfer its production of sterilization equipment from Erie to Mexico by mid-2007. Steris Corp. plans to retain more than 200 non-manufacturing employees in Erie.

"This is disappointing news, but we will immediately work with all of these hard-working men and women to provide all possible assistance," Rendell said. "I have directed appropriate state agencies to reach out to the company and its employees so that we can provide needed services and assistance as soon as layoffs begin.

"Anytime people lose their jobs it creates hardships for them and their families. We are going to do what we can to help them through this difficult time and we will keep employees informed about all possible benefits and services that can help them."

The Department of Labor & Industry's Rapid Response Unit will be working with the company and union officials to schedule future meetings with employees and provide them with information regarding available benefits and services.

Steris Corp. employees will have access to services, on a case-by-case basis, from at least two major federal programs administered by the commonwealth: the Workforce Investment and Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) acts.

Services could include up to 26 weeks of state unemployment compensation, job counseling, skills assessment, job search and placement, on-the-job training, resume writing, and additional social or personal services as needed.

Workers may be eligible under TAA for up to 104 weeks of job training, an additional 26 weeks of remedial education training, re-employment services, up to 130 weeks of cash benefits if enrolled in full-time training, and a 65 percent health coverage tax credit.

The TAA law also offers an alternative to workers aged 50 or older. Instead of choosing regular TAA benefits, they may obtain new employment at a lower salary, but not more than $50,000 a year, and receive cash benefits up to 50 percent of the difference between their former salary and their new wages up to a maximum cash benefit of $10,000.

"While we have made progress in helping to create new opportunities in Erie, this announcement is proof that we have to remain vigilant in creating new opportunities and keeping our workforce and businesses competitive," Rendell said.

The state will work with Steris Corp. to find another suitable occupant for the manufacturing facility to create new, family-sustaining jobs in the area.