The New York Department of Labor today dispatched a Rapid Response team to assist impacted workers from the Tonawanda Coke Corporations (TCC) plant with intensive job placement services and unemployment and medical benefits information.  

“Our team was on the ground starting this morning. We’ll be here for as long as we’re needed to help these men and women access the benefits they need and most importantly, find them new jobs,” said Department of Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon.

Aside from having staff on site at the TCC facility, DOL will also be opening their local career centers early tomorrow (7:30 a.m.) to continue providing services. Career counselors and unemployment insurance specialists will be on- site to assist. Displaced workers are urged to stop into either the Buffalo Career Center (284 Main St, Buffalo, NY, 14202, 716.851.2600) or the Niagara Falls Career Center (Trott ACCESS Building, 1001 – 11th Street, Niagara Falls, 14301, 716.278.8258).

Two Rapid Response sessions are scheduled for impacted workers on Thursday, October 18, at 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. at the United Steel Workers Union Hall, 810 Sheridan Drive, Tonawanda, NY 14150. Computers will be available for affected workers to apply online for unemployment insurance and search for jobs. All workers are welcome at these sessions, whether they are represented by the union or not.

In the coming days, DOL will be scheduling targeted career fairs for TCC employees. All workers will be contacted through the local mail to notify them of the career fair dates and locations, as well as provide information on what services they are eligible for.