News Release

Printer-Friendly Version

ETA News Release: [06/29/2004]
Contact Name: Ed Frank
Phone Number: (202) 693-4676

U.S. Labor Secretary Elaine L. Chao Announces $4 Million for Continued Aid to Workers in Alaska’s Fishing Industry

WASHINGTON—U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao today announced a $4 million grant for employment-related assistance to approximately 468 workers who lost their businesses or jobs as a result of the decline of the commercial salmon fishing industry along the Alaska coastline. The grant in the amount of $4 million comes as a second installment to an initial release of $2 million and is part of an overall $8 million National Emergency Grant Secretary Chao announced in December 2003.

“This $4 million grant will help these workers get the training they need to find new job opportunities and provide them with other employment and transitional assistance during this period as well,” said Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao.

The grant, awarded to the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development, will provide participants with services to include outreach, recruitment, counseling, employment plan development, job search assistance, training, and support services.

Workers covered under the grant include self-employed fisherman, eligible family members and industry-related workers who have lost their businesses or jobs. Workers should contact their local Alaska Job Center to apply for aid. To find the nearest Alaska Job Center, call 1-877-US-2-JOBS.

National Emergency Grants are part of the Secretary’s discretionary fund. A grant is awarded after a state submits a request and the grant guidelines have been met.

For additional information about the Department of Labor’s unemployment and re-employment programs, please visit www.doleta.gov.

# # #

_________________________________________________________________