Oregon’s Swanson Group Petitions For U.S. Department Of Labor Assistance
Potentially hurt by competition with Canadian softwood lumber, Swanson Group, a wood products company based in Glendale, asked the U.S. Department of Labor to help affected workers.
Shelly Forsberg, a petition coordinator with the Trade Adjustment Assistance program, said a staff member at Swanson Group had asked her to file the petition, estimating about 36 employees may be laid off as a result of cutbacks to the business while it tries to compete with Canadian imports. Forsberg said she could not confirm if the layoffs have happened. Forsberg filed the petition Feb. 14, and the Department of Labor is currently investigating the situation before it decides whether or not to grant Swanson Group with the benefits of the program.
If the department finds Swanson Group eligible for assistance, the affected workers will meet with the program staff to discuss benefits, which include skills assessments, career counseling, training, income support, and reimbursement for relocation costs and a wage subsidy to make up for part of the difference between workers’ new wages and their old wages.
“Canada ‘dumping’ of softwood has affected cost of business and lumber supply to Swanson locations,” the petition reads. “International Trade Commission determined Canada sold softwood in U.S. at less than fair value.”
On Dec. 7, the International Trade Commission announced the U.S. wood products industry is materially injured by subsidized Canadian imports of softwood lumber. Swanson Group produces dimensional lumber, plywood panels, veneers and residential products, studs and sign-making panels.
From The News-Review: nrtoday.com.
Latest News
Oregon’s Rosboro Announces Its Sale, Starting With Timberlands
googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-1548381510056-0’); }); Wood products manufacturer Rosboro, one of Springfield’s oldest employers, has sold its timber holdings, and the rest of the firm, including its large mill on Main Street in Springfield, could be…
Struggling Timber Industry Puts Rural Idaho At Crossroads
googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-1548381510056-0’); }); David Bartlett stopped frequently to chat with friends as he made inquiries with employers at a recent Idaho Department of Labor job fair in Orofino. The nonchalance of the former Tri-Pro…
New Sawmill To Open In Louisiana
googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-1548381510056-0’); }); Le Moyen Mill & Timber LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Adobe Machinery Group, revealed plans to acquire land in order to develop a wood products manufacturing facility in LeMoyen, La.…
Find Us On Social
Newsletter
The monthly Timber Processing Industry Newsletter reaches over 4,000 mill owners and supervisors.
Subscribe/Renew
Timber Processing is delivered 10 times per year to subscribers who represent sawmill ownership, management and supervisory personnel and corporate executives. Subscriptions are FREE to qualified individuals.
Advertise
Complete the online form so we can direct you to the appropriate Sales Representative.