WASHINGTON The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $248,878 National Emergency Grant to provide training and re-employment services for about 60 workers affected by layoffs at Thompson/Center Arms in Rochester, N.H., which began in January and will continue through the end of the year.

"This grant will help these dislocated workers by equipping them with the skills necessary to obtain good, stable jobs in New Hampshire's high-growth industries," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis.

Special Factor: Minnesota has indicated that approximately 11,500 of their reported initial claims are a result of state employees filing due to the state government shutdown.

SEASONALLY ADJUSTED DATA In the week ending July 9, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 405,000, a decrease of 22,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 427,000. The 4-week moving average was 423,250, a decrease of 3,750 from the previous week's revised average of 427,000.

WASHINGTON – Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today issued the following statement regarding the introduction of federal legislation to reform the unemployment insurance system:

"I am pleased that Sen. Jack Reed and Rep. Rosa DeLauro have introduced legislation to reform the UI system to benefit both workers and employers across the U.S. The legislation put forward promotes short-time compensation, also known as 'work-sharing.'

Special Factor: Minnesota has indicated that approximately 2,500 of their reported initial claims are a result of state employees filing due to the state government shutdown.

SEASONALLY ADJUSTED DATA In the week ending July 2, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 418,000, a decrease of 14,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 432,000. The 4-week moving average was 424,750, a decrease of 3,000 from the previous week's revised average of 427,750.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $2 million National Emergency Grant to create temporary jobs for eligible workers who will assist with cleanup and recovery efforts in the wake of severe storms and flooding in Illinois that began on April 19.

"Spring storms dealt a severe blow to the communities of southern Illinois this year," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. "Today's grant will help the residents in this region to clean up their towns and begin to get back on their feet."

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $1,201,250 National Emergency Grant to create temporary jobs for eligible dislocated workers who will assist with cleanup and recovery efforts in the wake of severe storms and flooding in Vermont that began on April 23.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $3,435,544 National Emergency Grant increment to continue to provide re-employment and training services to workers affected by layoffs in Tulare County, Calif. Funding will help workers prepare for careers in growing areas of the regional economy including agribusiness, renewable energy, supply chain logistics, health care and advanced manufacturing.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $3 million National Emergency Grant to create temporary jobs for eligible dislocated workers to assist with cleanup and recovery efforts after severe storms and tornadoes struck the central and western areas of Massachusetts on June 1.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $7,959,373 National Emergency Grant increment to continue to provide re-employment and training services to about 4,455 workers affected by the closure of New United Motors Manufacturing Inc. of Fremont, Calif., and 39 of its supplier companies.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $13,964,651 National Emergency Grant supplemental award for the creation of temporary jobs to assist with ongoing clean up and recovery efforts after the tornado that devastated Joplin, Mo., as well as recovery efforts following flooding in the state's southern counties. The funds are being awarded to the Missouri Division of Workforce Development.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $45,080,077 National Emergency Grant to provide re-employment services to about 5,880 workers affected by layoffs from a number of private and public sector employers located in 20 California counties.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced grants totaling $17 million to two organizations that are providing meaningful job training and other employment preparation to at-risk individuals ages 18-24.

"The grants announced today will directly support underserved young adults looking to improve their lives and join the workforce," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. "This is an investment not only in these young people, but also in their families and communities."

SEASONALLY ADJUSTED DATA In the week ending June 25, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 428,000, a decrease of 1,000 from the previous week's unrevised figure of 429,000. The 4-week moving average was 426,750, an increase of 500 from the previous week's unrevised average of 426,250.

The advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate was 2.9 percent for the week ending June 18, a decrease of 0.1 percentage point from the prior week's revised rate of 3.0 percent.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor has certified for release $97,729,219 in unemployment insurance modernization incentive funds to the state of Washington. The state qualified for its remaining share of the funds available under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act by including in its law provisions that assist workers who become unemployed because of compelling family reasons as well as workers who are upgrading their skills.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced $83,941,360 in grants through the National Farmworker Jobs Program to combat the chronic unemployment and underemployment experienced by migrant and seasonal farmworkers who depend primarily on agricultural labor jobs. A total of $78,253,180 will go to 52 organizations nationwide to provide training, employment and support services for farmworkers and their families. An additional $5,688,600 will go to 16 organizations to provide temporary or permanent housing assistance.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $557,433 grant to provide training and supportive services to about 175 workers affected by layoffs at Tyco Electronics facilities in Eden Prairie and Shakopee, Minn.

"This grant will provide important training and employment services to workers who have lost their jobs through no fault of their own," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. "The Labor Department is committed to helping these workers prepare for and obtain jobs in growing industries."

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $1,995,170 National Emergency Grant increment to continue to provide training and re-employment services to about 550 workers throughout the state of Delaware affected by layoffs at Delaware City-based Valero Energy Corp.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $117,453 National Emergency Grant supplemental award to provide re-employment services to more than 100 workers affected by layoffs within the manufacturing sector in eastern Iowa.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $337,897 grant to assist about 60 workers affected by the closure of Associated Grocers of Maine Inc. in Gardiner, Maine. The grocery distributor announced in April that it would be shutting down its distribution, logistics and transportation operations, and consequently laying off all of its employees.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a total of $5.5 million funding for four grantees under the Young Parents Demonstration Program. The grants are being awarded to community and faith-based organizations in Los Angeles, Calif.; Asheville, N.C.; Birmingham, Ala.; and Worcester, Mass., to provide intensive mentoring services for low-income parents and expectant parents ages 16 24, as a supplement to educational and occupational skills training available through existing workforce development programs.