WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $986,796 grant to assist approximately 249 workers affected by layoffs at Hewlett-Packard (HP) Co. in Corvallis, Ore.

"The recent downsizing at Hewlett-Packard represents a significant loss of production workers in this region of Oregon," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. "This grant will allow affected employees to access the necessary training and services to find employment soon."

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $329,652 grant to assist approximately 50 workers affected by layoffs at Boise Cascade LLC in La Grande, Ore.

"Today's grant will provide the employment-related services necessary to help affected workers in Oregon find jobs in new careers and return to work as quickly as possible," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $2,027,190 grant to Washington state to create approximately 130 temporary jobs to assist in flood cleanup efforts.

"Washington endured torrential rainfall and high volumes of melted snow this past January, resulting in mass flooding throughout the western part of the state. Today's grant will create temporary jobs to help clean up the areas that were affected by the floodwaters," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis.

UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE WEEKLY CLAIMS REPORT

SEASONALLY ADJUSTED DATA In the week ending March 21, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 652,000, an increase of 8,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 644,000. The 4-week moving average was 649,000, a decrease of 1,000 from the previous week's revised average of 650,000.

Total grant exceeds $7 million, with initial amount provided in August 2008

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the release of $4,900,171 in grant funds to create 534 temporary jobs in Texas to help clean up the state following Hurricane Dolly.

"Texas continues to recover from Hurricane Dolly, which hit in late July 2008," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. "Today's grant will create additional jobs for workers to help affected areas recover from hurricane damage."

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor has issued policy guidance to grantees of the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) for the implementation of an additional $118,800,000 under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act). This critical investment is designed to increase services and training for unemployed, low-income seniors, and to invigorate and advance prosperity in the communities where they live.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $2,167,099 grant to the state of Arkansas to create approximately 151 temporary jobs related to cleanup after a winter storm.

"Today's grant will provide temporary jobs in Arkansas to assist in cleanup and projects that provide food, clothing, shelter and humanitarian assistance for those affected by the recent ice storm," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced an $877,096 grant to assist approximately 150 workers affected by layoffs at Northwood Manufacturing located in LaGrande, Ore.

"Today's grant will aid affected workers in Oregon by providing job-search assistance and retraining, so workers can return to jobs in new industries," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis.

Calendar Year 2009 Seasonal Factors: Seasonal factors for CY 2009 and the revised historical series for CY 2004-2008 for both initial claims and continued claims will be made available on line on March 26, 2009, with the release of the Unemployment Insurance Weekly Claims Report.

UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE WEEKLY CLAIMS REPORT

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $5,231,200 grant to the commonwealth of Kentucky to create approximately 503 temporary jobs related to cleanup after a severe winter storm.

"Today's grant will provide temporary jobs to assist in the necessary cleanup resulting from the severe winter storm that affected Kentucky communities," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today issued policy guidance to states and outlying areas for the implementation of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) investments in core employment and training programs. This critical investment of $3,514,500,000 in the nation's workforce system and network of One-Stop Career Centers is intended to help unemployed Americans upgrade their skills and get back to work.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labors Employment and Training Administration (ETA) today announced the proposed suspension for nine months of a final rule implementing changes to the H-2A program, which allows U.S. agricultural businesses to employ foreign workers in temporary or seasonal agricultural jobs. The departments proposed action is open for public comment for 10 days.

UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE WEEKLY CLAIMS REPORT

SEASONALLY ADJUSTED DATA In the week ending March 7, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 654,000, an increase of 9,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 645,000. The 4-week moving average was 650,000, an increase of 6,750 from the previous week's revised average of 643,250.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $299,232 grant to assist approximately 52 workers affected by layoffs at Bayliner Marine in Roseburg, Ore.

"Today's grant will allow affected workers to access employment and training services so they can begin new careers in Roseburg and surrounding areas," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. "With the unemployment rate above eight percent, it is vital that the Labor Department use every resource at its disposal to assist workers who have lost their jobs."

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced to states and outlying areas their allotment levels for Labor Department-administered employment and training programs funded under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. The workforce investment system will use the $3,514,500,000 to help Americans get back to work through the national network of One-Stop Career Centers.

UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE WEEKLY CLAIMS REPORT

SEASONALLY ADJUSTED DATA In the week ending Feb. 28, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 639,000, a decrease of 31,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 670,000. The 4-week moving average was 641,750, an increase of 2,000 from the previous week's revised average of 639,750.

The advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate was 3.8 percent for the week ending Feb. 21, unchanged from the prior week's unrevised rate of 3.8 percent.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $523,935 grant to assist approximately 130 workers affected by layoffs at JD Lumber Inc. in Priest River, Idaho; Sterling Mining Co. in Kellogg, Idaho; and U.S. Silver Corp. in Wallace, Idaho.

"The layoffs in Idaho's natural resource industry have had significant impact on the local economy," said Deputy Assistant Secretary for Employment and Training Douglas F. Small. "Today's grant will provide necessary services and allow affected workers to return to work faster."

Recovery Act also extends Emergency Unemployment Compensation

WASHINGTON – Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today announced a weekly increase in unemployment compensation, as provided for in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, enacted on Feb. 17.

The new temporary Federal Additional Compensation program will provide a $25 weekly increase in unemployment compensation for eligible workers. These extra benefits are 100 percent federally-funded.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $2,199,132 grant to assist approximately 574 workers affected by layoffs from automotive industry suppliers across Missouri and in nearby Kansas.

"Today's grant will allow affected Missourians to receive skills assessment, training and job search assistance to transition into new occupations within the local area," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis.