AUGUSTA – With the announcement this week of layoffs at Fraser Paper in Madawaska, Maine Labor Commissioner Laura Fortman has announced that the Department of Labor is preparing to assist the affected workers.

“Our primary concern right now is connecting with workers impacted by this layoff,” said Fortman. “We have been in close contact with Fraser management and union representatives, and over the next few weeks they will negotiate severance packages and bumping rights for the workers. We expect to know the names of all the affected workers by late July.”

The Maine Department of Labor is submitting a Trade Adjustment Assistance petition to the federal government on behalf of the affected workers.

If Fraser Paper is certified for Trade Adjustment Assistance, qualified workers will be able to apply for benefits including training, health care, relocation allowances and additional weeks of unemployment benefits.

For more information about programs for job seekers, Fraser Paper employees are encouraged to call their local CareerCenter at 1-800-432-7881.