Workers who lost their jobs after The Marlin Firearms Co., closed its North Haven, CT plant last year won the right to receive vocational training and economic assistance from the federal Trade Adjustment Assistance program, according to a report from The Hartford Courant.
The TAA program only benefits workers who have lost their jobs due to outsourcing or import competition. A investigation by the U.S. Labor Department's of the plant's closure, initially concluded that workers were not eligible for TAA assistance.
Robert Maars, a metal cutter who lost his job when the factory closed, sued the Labor Department, claiming that outsourcing and import competition were factors in the plant's closure. After Maars sued, the Labor Department conducted a thorough investigation and determined that those outsourcing and import competition did play a role in the plants closing and subsequently reversed its decision.
The 265 former Marlin workers are now eligible for vocational training, income assistance, health care tax credits and other benefits.
Marlin was acquired in 2008 by Remington Arms Co., a subsidiary of Freedom Group Co. of Madison, N.C. In March 2010, Remington said it would close the 225,000-square-foot Marlin plant.
