A bill to improve the operation of the adjustment assistance programs for workers and firms under the Trade Act of 1974.

Summary

Title I: Improvements in Adjustment Assistance for Workers - Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to direct the Secretary of Labor to reconsider denied petitions of groups of workers for trade adjustment assistance which were filed prior to November 1, 1977. Qualifies a previously ineligible employee for coverage under a certification of eligibility if: (1) the petition for certification was filed before November 1, 1977; and (2) the employee's last total or partial separation from the appropriate firm occurred between one year and 18 months of the filing of the petition. Permits any group of workers separated from employment after October 3, 1974, and before November 1, 1977, to file, or have filed on their behalf, a petition for certification if a previous petition for such group was not filed between April 2, 1975, and November 1, 1977. Makes eligible for assistance certain groups of workers in firms whose customer firms have been adversely affected by imports. Authorizes the Secretary to file a petition on behalf of a group of workers. Permits a group to be certified if the sales or production of its firm or subdivision threaten to decrease absolutely. Stipulates that no assistance shall be furnished in such an instance until sales or production have ceased. Permits an employee who worked for more than one firm or subdivision whose workers have been certified to take into account all such employment in determining eligibility for assistance allowances. Extends the duration of additional readjustment assistance for workers receiving approved training. Directs the Secretary to establish a program of experimental projects designed to improve methods meeting the employment and training problems of workers displaced by import competition. Increases, and revises application and eligibility guidelines for, job search and relocation allowances. Title II: Improvements in adjustment assistance to firms - Revises eligibility requirements for firm adjustment assistance including making eligible certain firms whose customer firms have been directly affected by imports. Requires, rather than authorizes, the Secretary of Commerce to provide technical assistance to a firm for an economic adjustment proposal if it cannot prepare one without assistance. Increases the requirement percentage for assistance provided through private entities. Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce, with respect to loans to firms guaranteed under the Trade Act of 1974, to pay to or on behalf of the borrower annually for up to ten years an amount sufficient to reduce interest paid up to four percentage points. Increases maximum amount guaranteed loans and direct loans which may be furnished to any one firm. Title III: General Provisions - Establishes the Commerce Labor Adjustment Action Committee to facilitate coordination between the Department of Labor and Commerce in providing assistance to trade-impacted workers, firms and communities. Authorizes grants to labor organizations for research on issues relating to the design of an effective program of trade adjustment assistance. Authorizes grants for industry wide research programs on techniques to improve economic efficiency.

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Documents

2 official files

• House agreed to Senate amendment with amendment

  summary · EN · 14 October 1978

  Open at official source

• Introduced in House

  summary · EN · 22 March 1978

  Open at official source

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