U.S. Department of Labor announces $405,000 grant to assist workers in Oregon affected by layoffs at Freightliner Trucks

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $405,000 grant to assist approximately 80 workers affected by layoffs at the Freightliner Trucks manufacturing facility in Portland, Ore. Freightliner Trucks is a division of Daimler Trucks North America, the largest manufacturer of heavy duty vehicles in North America and a leading manufacturer of medium-duty vehicles.

"Today's grant will allow affected workers to access the employment-related services necessary to obtain employment," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. "These workers have indicated a desire to take part in training in order to upgrade their existing skills or embark on new career paths in promising regional industries."

Today's grant will be awarded to the Oregon Department of Community Colleges and Workforce Development, and will be operated by Worksystems Inc., a nonprofit organization that focuses on building a comprehensive workforce development system to support individual prosperity and business competitiveness.

All of the affected workers also have been certified by the Labor Department as eligible for Trade Adjustment Assistance. The grant will provide these workers with access to additional "wrap-around" services that are not available through the TAA program. These services include career counseling, job search and job placement assistance, and follow-up. In addition, all affected workers will have access to the full array of dislocated worker services.

On Jan. 8, Freightliner Trucks announced that layoffs would occur on Jan. 31. The facility is expected to close in 2010.

National Emergency Grants are part of the secretary of labor's discretionary fund and are awarded based on a state's ability to meet specific guidelines. For more information, visit http://www.doleta.gov/NEG/.