Fasano, Fontana Seek State Assistance to Help Displaced Quebecor Employees

Hartford, CT – State Senator Leonard Fasano (R-34) and State Representative Steve Fontana (D-87) are working with the Department of Labor and local government officials to provide aid and employment services to 350 workers who will lose their jobs when Quebecor World Inc. closes its North Haven-based printing plant.

“Losing a job, especially during these tough economic times, is going to be a difficult challenge for these families. We need to act with a sense of urgency and make sure all parties involved are doing everything possible to help find new employment for these 350 workers,” said Senator Fasano. “Today and over the course of the next few weeks, Representative Fontana and I will be working with Quebecor executives, the local business community and the Department of Labor to help provide these workers and their families with the assistance they need.”

“This is another tragic loss for the North Haven community,” Representative Fontana said. “We need to focus, first and foremost, on the needs of the displaced workers and their families. I look forward to working with all stakeholders to provide the help that they need.”

The legislators have spoken over the past two days with Quebecor executives and North Haven First Selectwoman Janet McCarty about the planned layoffs. Fasano, Fontana and McCarty are reaching out to other commercial printers in the region to help find reemployment opportunities for the displaced workers. The legislators have also requested that the Department of Labor immediately dispatch its Rapid Response Team to North Haven to educate the workers about job search assistance, unemployment benefits and training opportunities.

Quebecor executives have assured Senator Fasano that they are providing the displaced workers with information about job opportunities elsewhere in the company. Quebecor employs 28,000 workers in more than 115 printing and related facilities around the globe.

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