The federal government is offering relief for workers affected by the continuing layoffs at the Alcatel-Lucent plant.

The U.S. Department of Labor will provide a $758,714 grant to assist 170 workers there.

"The grant will provide these workers with access to services to help them return to work as quickly as possible," said Deputy Assistant Secretary of Employment and Training Brent Orrell in a statement.

The grant is awarded to the Massachusetts Department of Workforce Development and will provide Alcatel-Lucent workers with full access to dislocated worker services not available through the Trade Adjustment Assistance program.

Services include skills assessment, counseling, case management and job search assistance.

The plant, off Route 125, is scheduled to shut down Dec. 31.

While more than 12,000 worked for the Alcatel-Lucent North Andover plant at its peak, there were only 500 workers left in March.

Since then there have been a few layoffs, said Gary Nilsson, president of Local 1365 of the Communication Workers of America. Another layoff will take effect on Sept. 5.

Lucent workers became eligible for Trade Adjustment Assistance in December 2007. National Emergency Grants are part of the secretary of labor's discretionary fund and are awarded based on a state's ability to meet specific guidelines.

Source:eagletribune