Sen. Libby leads Lewiston delegation in call to assist workers displaced by Xerox closure

AUGUSTA — Following announcement of the impending closure of the Xerox/ACS call center in Lewiston, Sen. Nate Libby, D-Lewiston, sent letters Tuesday to other local call centers and the Department of Labor calling for action to ensure a smooth transition for employees facing layoffs.

Sen. Nate Libby, D-Lewiston.

Sen. Libby was joined in his letters by the Lewiston’s full delegation to the House of Representatives, including Reps. Heidi Brooks, Jared Golden, Michel Lajoie and Peggy Rotundo.

“Approximately 140 skilled workers will be unemployed on October 31, through no fault of their own,” said Sen. Libby. “We’ve heard over and over that local employers are having a hard time finding the qualified employees they need. We hope to connect those employers with the laid off Xerox workers to make the best out of a bad situation.”

The Lewiston delegation is urging other local call centers — TD Bank, LL Bean, Carbonite, Agro Marketing, and Great Falls Marketing — to hire the displaced Xerox workers, and is offering his support to the Department of Labor in any of its efforts to help those workers find new employment.

“The news of a call center closing may not have the same emotional impact across the state as would a similar closure in the paper industry but make no mistake, the effect on our local economy of 140 lost jobs is very, very real,” said Sen. Libby. “We hope the Department of Labor, the Lewiston CareerCenter, and our local businesses will all help these employees land on their feet.”

ATTACHED: Copies of letters sent to Maine DOL Commissioner Paquette and to the LL Bean call center in Lewiston.

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