Joseph P. Gresko

State Representative Joe Gresko joined his legislative colleagues in Stratford and Shelton in urging the state Department of Labor to initiate Connecticut’s Rapid Response Team to help Altice USA assist its 591 employees who will be laid off in the Stratford and Shelton area following an announcement that Optimum is closing its operations in both towns.

Altice made its announcement about the impending layoffs this week noting that technology upgrades resulting in fewer customer calls made the move necessary.

In their letter to Commissioner Scott Jackson, the bipartisan group of legislators noted that not all of the displaced workers would find employment elsewhere within the company after their four weeks of severance pay, and they asked the Labor Department to help these workers find new jobs as soon as possible.

“We need to devote all of our available resources to help those affected,” Rep. Gresko said. “Hopefully, during the next three months the Department of Labor can assist people while they’re still employed to help them find new jobs.”

“This is terrible news for a lot of Stratford and Shelton residents and their families, and it is important that we make every effort to help these displaced workers with all state resources available,” said Rep. Laura Hoydick of Stratford.

“My heart goes out to these hard-working local residents who now suddenly find themselves unemployed,” said Rep. Ben McGorty of Shelton. “I am hopeful that we can mobilize state resources to bring relief to all of the impacted employees.”