09.21.01

Murray and Cantwell Include Boeing Employees in Senate Workers' Assistance Package

$3.75 billion package would provide 52 weeks of benefits, 18 months of COBRA health coverage and training for displaced workers

WASHINGTON, DC - Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.) and Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) succeeded in getting Boeing workers and other aircraft suppliers included in a workers' assistance package currently moving through the Congress in response to the cutbacks in the airline industry.

The workers' assistance package must still be attached to the overall airline industry relief legislation, which could come to the Senate floor as early as Friday. Senators Murray and Cantwell are working with members of the Washington state delegation and others in Congress to support workers affected by the downturn in the airline industry.

The workers' provision would cover 52 weeks of benefits, provide training, and pay for 18 months of COBRA health coverage for affected workers. The overall cost would add $3.75 billion over 2 years to the airline stabilization package.

"We cannot forget the workers and their families as we mitigate the losses in the airline industry," said Murray. "The nearly 30,000 Boeing employees affected by airline cutbacks form the backbone of the industry and deserve our support in this difficult time."

Sen. Cantwell said, "If Congress and the President are assisting the airline industry, we must provide additional help to workers - including aircraft manufacturing workers. Workers and their families should not be left to bear the economic burden of terrorism."

The Senate could vote on the airline stabilization bill as early as tomorrow, Friday, September 21, 2001.

The House of Representatives must attach the workers' assistance package to its airline stabilization bill to ensure the bill becomes law.