Metrie employees in Monroe to get federal aid

MONROE — Employees at wood molding manufacturer Metrie in Monroe will receive federal benefits after their plant shuts down by the end of this year.

Fifty-four employees are losing their jobs when Metrie formerly known as Moulding &Millwork moves the work to Calgary, Alberta. The Monroe plant is located at 14439 167th Ave SE.

The U.S. Department of Labor approved what is called trade adjustment assistance for the employees, U.S. Rep. Suzan DelBene announced this week.

The benefits include:

• Extended unemployment benefits that allows the workers to receive 117 weeks of unemployment and, in certain circumstances, 130 weeks.

• Wage insurance for employees ages 50 and older who get jobs at lower wages. The wage insurance pays 50 percent of the difference between the worker’s new wage and previous wage, up to a maximum of $10,000.

• Training subsidies if no suitable employment is found and the worker meets other criteria. Eligible training options include a variety of public and private programs.

• Help with case management, career counseling, job search assistance, and other non-training services.

• Job search and relocation allowances are available to workers who seek employment outside of their commuting area.

• Metrie workers can also apply for individual benefits and services administered by the American Job Centers. Workers can search for the nearest job center by entering their ZIP code at www.servicelocator.org/.

Vancouver, B.C.,-based Metrie bills itself as the largest supplier and manufacturer of solid wood and composite molding in North America.

Company spokesman John Anderson said the company has a good team in Monroe, but the Calgary plant is a state-of-the-art facility.

The company plans to continue to operate two other plants in Washington, one in Ferndale and the other in Sumner. Those plants employ 135 people.