The U.S. Department of Labor is making special employment assistance available to temporary workers who lost their jobs or had hours reduced at Lafarge North America, a Seattle cement company that cut production last year.

The maintenance and production temps from Industrial Services Inc. and Summit Building Maintenance didn’t have access to special federal retraining programs when they were let go. But since Lafarge managed these “leased” workers like regular employees, the Labor Department has now added them to the list of those eligible for the federal Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) program.

Through Washington’s WorkSource centers, TAA helps re-employ workers who’ve lost their jobs due to international trade.

“This vital program not only trains people for new careers, but helps them find and relocate to jobs that have a more solid future,” said Employment Security Commissioner Paul Trause.

The Washington Employment Security Department will notify the affected employees by mail, but anyone who thinks they may be eligible for assistance should visit their local WorkSource center. Employment Security is a partner in the statewide WorkSource system, which offers free job counseling, workshops and other services to help put people back to work.

Locations of local WorkSource offices are listed online at fortress.wa.gov.

Information about the Trade Adjustment Assistance program also is available from the U.S. Labor Department at 877-872-5627.