Nelson seeks aid for Cozad workers

COZAD, Neb. (AP) — Sen. Ben Nelson is asking the federal government to help the Nebraskans who will lose their jobs as Tenneco closes its shock-absorber plant in Cozad.

In a letter sent Wednesday, the Nebraska Democrat asked officials to help identify training and job opportunities for the 500 workers. Tenneco announced earlier this week that it planned to close the Cozad shock-absorber plant by the end of 2010.

Nelson’s letter was addressed to Ed Montgomery, who is the director of the Office of Recovery for Auto Communities and Workers in the U.S. Department of Labor. The office is overseeing help for American autoworkers affected by troubles in the auto industry.

Meanwhile, a spokeswoman for Tenneco said the closing of the Cozad plant could force production increases at the company’s Seward plant.

Jane Ostrander said operations at the Seward plant, which employs 500 workers, is important for Tenneco’s emissions-control business, “and we hope that it will grow with our growing commercial-vehicle business.”

Tenneco also has a plant in Lincoln, where about 100 workers make exhaust systems for Harley-Davidson. Ostrander said the Cozad closing will not affect the Lincoln plant.

Nelson’s letter was addressed to Ed Montgomery, who is the director of the Office of Recovery for Auto Communities and Workers in the U.S. Department of Labor. The office is overseeing help for American autoworkers affected by troubles in the auto industry.———