King won't support extended unemployment for John Morrell workers - KTIV News 4 Sioux City IA: News, Weather and Sports

King won't support extended unemployment for John Morrell workers

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SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KTIV) - We're just 10-weeks away from the closure of Sioux City's John Morrell plant. On April 20th, 1,450 workers will lose their jobs. Western Iowa congressman Steve King hopes those Morrell workers are already looking for jobs.

King doesn't support a suggestion, by Iowa governor Chet Culver, to extend federal unemployment benefits to 39-weeks after a worker loses his, or her, job.

The republican worries some Morrell workers won't start looking for a new job until that 39th week when benefits are about to run out.

King says the 26-weeks workers get, right now, is enough. Rep. Steve King, (R) Iowa says "We shouldn't turn the 'safety net' into a hammock. It should actually be a 'safety net'."

King has also talked with Morrell's parent company, Smithfield Foods... and has their commitment to help place Sioux City workers at other Smithfield plants.

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