WASHINGTON – Senator Chuck Grassley has asked Department of Labor Secretary Hilda Solis to act quickly on any requests for assistance for displaced workers at the Tyson Foods plant in Council Bluffs. Grassley made a similar request for nearly 1,500 Sioux City workers after Smithfield Foods announced it was closing the John Morrell pork slaughter and processing plant.
“This is another tough blow for western Iowa. Losing nearly 500 jobs will have a serious impact on the Council Bluffs area. The Department of Labor and state and local workforce development offices will be critical in helping these workers successfully return to the workforce,” Grassley said.
Here is a copy of the text of Grassley’s letter to Solis.
January 28, 2010
The Honorable Hilda Solis
Secretary
U.S. Department of Labor
200 Constitution Avenue, NW
Washington, D.C. 20210
Dear Secretary Solis:
Last week, I contacted you concerning a pork slaughter and processing plant closure in Sioux City, Iowa, that will result in the loss of nearly 1,500 jobs. Unfortunately, today I’m contacting you about another significant layoff in Iowa.
In recent days, Tyson Foods announced that they would be laying off 480 of the 1,300 employees at their pork and beef production plant in Council Bluffs, Iowa. The 480 employees will be let go as operations are suspended in mid-March. This layoff will have a serious impact on the economy of Council Bluffs. The Tyson Foods plant is one of the area’s largest employers.
I’m requesting that the Department of Labor take quick action to assist the displaced workers and aid the efforts of economic development leaders and local officials in response to this layoff. The services and employment training provided by the Department of Labor will be critical in helping the affected workers get back on their feet and find suitable employment as quickly as possible.
Thank you for your time and consideration of this matter, and I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Charles E. Grassley
United States Senator