State Providing Assistance to Laid Off Stillwater Miners

If you are a miner who got laid off by the Stillwater Mine, or somebody who is losing your job because of the economic impacts of the mine layoffs- get over to Columbus and link up with the Montana Department of Labor personnel who are on site right now.

One of the miners told me he did just that, and said the whole staff was very helpful.

Outstanding bunch of people in Columbus, I was there after my exit interview. Helped me with everything from unemployment sign up, to insurance, to retraining. All sorts of help there.

 

Earlier this week I caught up with our friend Sarah Swanson. She is the commissioner for the Montana Department of Labor and Industry. She and about 40 members of her team from all across the state are in Columbus all week long to provide assistance.

Sarah Swanson: "This is a very sad week for the families of Stillwater Mine...the workers of Stillwater mine are the very definition of the Montana work ethic that employers are looking for. Every day it is hard work, it is long hours. They show up on time, they stay until the job is done, and they're not afraid to get the work done.

The Montana Department of Labor and Commerce is set up at the Stillwater Civic Center from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM daily thru Friday. Services include unemployment insurance, dislocated worker assistance, and training for new careers. Swanson says the economic impact is significant, affecting a nine-county region. According to Swanson, over 40% of the workers have over 10 years at the mine, and 30% have spouses who either don't work or work part-time.

Full audio of our chat with Commissioner Swanson: