Governor Doyle responds to GM cutbacks
Podcast Episode
Assemblyman and UAW President Mike Sheridan talks to WCLO's Stan Milam Show about Monday's cutback annoucement from General Motors.
Photo 
James Doyle
MADISON Gov. Jim Doyle said Monday he was disappointed to learn of the job losses at the General Motors assembly plant in Janesville and that his administration will take a number of steps to help displaced workers.
Doyle said a rapid response team will meet with terminated GM workers to expedite unemployment claims and give workers access to job training and placement services.
The state’s Department of Workforce Development will issue a $25,000 grant to initiate services for the affected workers, he said.
The department also will work with GM and the union to petition for Trade Adjustment Assistance benefits from the U.S. Department of Labor. If allowed, they would extend unemployment benefits for two years and make up to $15,000 available for additional education and re-training for eligible workers.
“The state runs a very strong dislocated worker program, and although we hate to have to activate these services, we do have a very strong track record in helping individuals who have lost their jobs,” said Department of Workforce Development Secretary Roberta Gassman. “Our own research shows that that people who take advantage of these services do far better than those who don’t.”
If the federal government grants the assistance, the state will be able to meet the needs of the affected workers in terms of providing retraining, relocation funding and any books, tools or equipment they might need to move into another job, Gassman said.
She said the department’s goal is to get the displaced workers into jobs that have similar pay as the ones they lost, “but this is going to be a challenge in this case, just because of the compensation levels that have been involved, but we’re going to work on this as hard as we can.”
Department of Workforce Development spokesman Dick Jones said the department also would help displaced workers at GM suppliers.
“If there is a ripple effect, and other companies have to reduce their workforce, then the same process would follow,” Jones said.
Read more in our special section on the GM cutbacks.

May 1, 2008 at 11:22 p.m.
Suggest removal
Why is Govenor Doyle giving this special treatment to the GM employees??? I feel for the people that are losing their jobs because the employees at Simplicity are going through the same thing right now. We were not lucky enough to get any kind of buy out, or the opportunity to keep our jobs for a lower wage. Our most senior employees are getting a whopping 8 weeks of pay as we are walking out the door. Why isn't the Govenor stepping up to give us a little extra help. More than 250 people are losing their jobs in Port Washington, and we could use all the help we can get!!!
Apr 30, 2008 at 4:01 p.m.
Suggest removal
It SAYS in the article that they will help suppliers as well.
It's the quantity of layoffs that concerns everyone, with good cause.
Apr 30, 2008 at 3:32 p.m.
Suggest removal
The compassionate Jim Doyle only looking out for the GM employees and not the many others that will be affected. He should be talking with GM or some other automobile manufacture about coming here to Wisconsin. We have a great workforce it's just that the taxes are to high here and companies stay away.
Apr 30, 2008 at 10:35 a.m.
Suggest removal
no one shoul be mad at gm employees, my husband works at lsi, and he will lose is job.and he has been out to that building for years, it has changed ownership 3 times, and he stuck it out with them, and lsi is by far the worse company who has owned it. and believe me those employees will not be offered anything gm employees will be offered. but, the good governor, better remember one thing, he doesnt win elections, by gm votes only, this gesture should put a deep black mark on his re election. he is saying gm employees come first and no one else matters, i hope he ousted right out of office.
Apr 30, 2008 at 10:05 a.m.
Suggest removal
At a time when the state budget is in trouble and he's stealing money from transportation funds, Doyle is burning money like this? This is purely a partisan political gesture. His way of announcing that he's running for reelection?
Apr 30, 2008 at 9:42 a.m.
Suggest removal
I mean i get what your saying but i hope your not mad at the employees.
Apr 30, 2008 at 9:40 a.m.
Suggest removal
hey tbatch2000. who are you mad at? If you were offered a job at gm you'd take it.
Apr 30, 2008 at 7:33 a.m.
Suggest removal
I won't make a comment on Doyle, because I don;t want to talk about politics. What I want to talk about is the workers.
The state has very good benefits for retraining displaced workers. What I truly hope is that workers will take advantage of this. This can equate to reduced/paid tuition for a Blackhawk 2-year degree, unemployment while they go to school, and books paid.
It is rough to attend school while raising a family and paying a mortgage, but people do it all the time. The payoffs from taking advantage of the retraining program are immeasurable- instead of 700+ people looking for entry level assembly jobs, we could have 700+ people with skills and varied degrees searching and creating jobs. 700+ more educated people in Janesville- everyone wins.
Apr 30, 2008 at 7:31 a.m.
Suggest removal
I dont know if anyone has noticed but theres a real problem with our economy? (SARCASIM) I have been laid off for 6 months and can not find work. My unemployment ran out 2 weeks ago and called DWD for an extension and they told me basiclly to get lost. But news goes out yesterday off GM and they get extensions and training! HOW IS THIS FAIR? I want training too! I want to be able to have the resources GM employees get! Or does it go something like this AVerage WI WORKER, Then theres The GM WORKER. I pay my taxes just like an gm worker and put my pants on just like them too! BULLS@@@!!!!!!
Apr 30, 2008 at 7:07 a.m.
Suggest removal
Everyone here is right on point in their critisism of Doyle. Why isn't he setting up meetings with GM to try to get some other new product or an existing product moved here? When Thompson was in charge he met with GM leaders and secured the Tahoe and Suburban for Janesville when it was time for the Cavilier to end its time here. None of the union members obviously remember that though, probably because he was a Republican and Republicans never do anything for the working man. Doyle, get off your butt and get to Detroit and sell the Wisconsin workforce instead of just throwing more taxpayer money at people for "retraining".
Apr 30, 2008 at 6:55 a.m.
Suggest removal
That's nice of Doyle to help out the GM employees and putting them on the "fast track" with help. How about the other people that are facing layoffs or have been laid off. Are they just chopped liver? Aren't all workers in Wisconsin important and deserve the same treatment?
Apr 30, 2008 at 1:29 a.m.
Suggest removal
does he actually expect a pat on the back, or a vote at re election time for his actions, not by me and my family.thumbs down on doyle
Apr 29, 2008 at 8:07 p.m.
Suggest removal
Doyle is just trying to make himself look good in the face of bad news.
Apr 29, 2008 at 6:25 p.m.
Suggest removal
What about the non-auto industry related lay-offs of late? I don't hear the state offering to lobby for extended unemployment benefits for them.
Apr 29, 2008 at 4:34 p.m.
Suggest removal
"Department of Workforce Development spokesman Dick Jones said the department also would help displaced workers at GM suppliers."
Apr 29, 2008 at 3:43 p.m.
Suggest removal
What about any other people not employed by GM, Lear, etc. who lose jobs? Does anyone care about them? Will they get any of these 'perks'?
Before you post a comment, consider this:
Note: GazetteXtra.com does not condone or review every comment. Read more in our User Policy AgreementPost Comment
Commenting requires registration.