After a Military Base Closes, Who is Responsible for Dislocated Workers?

Sometimes, a large company with multiple locations reorganizes its employment structure, closing shop in one place to open doors in another.  While there are plenty of reasons to switch operations around, it is not without its abandoned workers.  Oftentimes, these worker have already settled in a place and are not able to easily travel with the company.

When a private company moves, what is its responsibility to its employees?  How about when the employer is a government agency?  Should there be financial compensation to the displaced workers?  This type of reconfiguration becomes particularly contentious when the employer is the U.S. military.

This week, the U.S. Department of Labor announced a $6,116,896 National Emergency Grant to assist dislocated workers as well as military spouses.  It will focus on provided training and re-employment services to these workers.

“Civilian defense workers and military spouses are important players in maintaining the security of our nation,” said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. “When their jobs disappear as a result of base realignments, it is our government’s responsibility to provide services that will put them on a path toward new work opportunities.”

Awarded to the Texas Workforce Commission, this grant will be operated by the Alamo Workforce Development Board, Central Texas Workforce Development Board, North East Texas Workforce Development Board and Upper Rio Grande Workforce Development Board. Realignments at the affected military installations covered under this grant began in 2007 and will continue through Sept. 15, 2011.