Hathaway workers to get federal retraining help

WATERVILLE – Workers at C.F. Hathaway Co. who stand to lose their jobs when the shirt manufacturer closes its factory in June will be eligible for federal retraining assistance.

The U.S. Department of Labor announced Monday that more than 300 Hathaway employees can take part in a program designed to help laborers displaced by foreign competition.

Windsong Alliance Group, which bought the 165-year-old company last fall, announced last month that it would close the factory at the end of June. Blaming overseas competition, Windsong said it could not get enough shirt orders to keep the operation going.

Federal officials agreed, concluding that Hathaway faced overwhelming and stiffening competition from abroad.

The announcement that Hathaway workers can apply for aid under the North American Free Trade Agreement Trade Adjustment Assistance program means most should begin examining their options, said Ron Brodeur, trade program coordinator for the state Labor Department.