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Archived News Release--Caution:
information may be out of date.
For more information call: (202) 219-6871.
The U.S. Department of Labor is providing up to $2 million
to the United Mineworkers of America to assist approximately 625 dislocated
workers from 53 coal mines in Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia, Secretary
of Labor Robert B. Reich announced today.
"These workers have labored long and hard, often in
dangerous conditions," said Reich. "I am pleased we can offer them these
reemployment services as they pursue new jobs and new careers, but I am
distressed by proposals in Congress that would restrict significantly the
federal government's ability to respond to the needs of dislocated workers in
the future."
The funds will be used to help miners laid off due to
energy conservation measures and efforts to improve air quality, as well as an
overall decline in the coal-mining industry.
The grant, authorized under the Job training Partnership
Act (JTPA), will go directly to the union, rather than to states, which is the
regular procedure. Services will be provided at a career center in Washington,
Pa.
Services funded under this grant will include intake and
eligibility determination, assessment, job search training and assistance,
counseling, job development and placement, occupational skills training,
remedial education, transportation and child care assistance and family
counseling.
The dislocated worker program is a comprehensive approach
to assist workers who have been, or are about to be, laid off for reasons such
as technological change, foreign competition or government actions. In general,
such workers are eligible if they are unlikely to return to their previous
industry or occupation.
Budget proposals in Congress for Fiscal Year 1996 (which
begins Oct. 1, 1995) would cut funding for dislocated worker programs by 34
percent to $850 million. As a result, 246,000 fewer Americans would be able to
benefit from employment and training support next year.
Archived News Release--Caution:
information may be out of date.
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