labor lawAdivision of labor law center

A number of workers laid off by Micron Technology, Inc. in Boise will receive assistance through a U.S. Department of Labor grant of more than $2 million.

The DOL will immediately release $847,538 of the grant to assist about 400 workers dislocated by the layoffs. The total grant is for $2,010,277.

“This $2 million grant will provide these Idaho workers with skills training, career counseling and other employment services to help them find and succeed in new jobs,” said U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao.

The grant, which is awarded to the Idaho Department of Labor, will help provide affected workers with a full array of services, including skills assessment, individual career counseling, career and occupational skills training, and relocation assistance.

Employees lost their jobs after the semiconductor maker reported hundreds of millions of dollars in lost profit earlier this year. Micron Technology fired a total of 1,100 workers in southwest Idaho after reporting a loss of $225 million in the three months ending June 1, 2007. Many of the workers were in Ada, Elmore and Canyon counties.

On July 12, Micron Technology issued a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification  or WARN notice announcing plans to begin layoffs. Under federal law, employers have to issue WARN notices when shutting down a plant, laying off more than 100 people, or laying off more than 50% of the workforce for 6 months or more. WARN notices give the employees 60 days notice that their jobs will be eliminated. They also permit state and local agencies to marshal resources to aid the workers.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, “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.”  NEG grants have also been issued to Minnesota and Rhode Island recently.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, National Emergency Grants (NEGs) are discretionary awards by the Secretary of Labor. The grants temporarily expand service capacity at the state and local levels through time-limited funding assistance in response to “significant dislocation events.” When a layoff, plant closing or other event creates a need beyond what the state can reasonably be expected to meet, the state may apply for an Emergency Grant.  In order for a state to qualify, any discretionary funds available at the state level must be included in the state’s resources.

A number of resources are available to inform the state and local employment agencies of the policies that govern grant awards. Communities are urged to initiate the grant process early, to ensure that funds are available when needed.

Regular NEG grants may be available when a single or multiple company layoff affects 50 or more workers. NEG grants are also appropriate when layoffs are industry-wide within a region, or when small or rural communities are severely affected by layoffs of fewer than 50 people.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, “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.”

Grants are given for different purposes. Disaster grants benefit areas afflicted by floods, wildfires, blizzards, hurricanes, earthquakes and other natural disasters. Other grants include Trade-WIA Dual Enrollment grants and Trade-Health Coverage Infrastructure grants.

Trade-WIA Dual Enrollment grants are available for single or multiple-company projects that include layoffs of 50 workers or more. These grants are given only in areas where the U.S. Department of Labor determines that workers are affected by federal trade policies.

Trade-Health Coverage Infrastructure grants provide states with funds to help workers eligible for TAA (Trade Adjustment Assistance) or TRA (Trade Realignment Assistance) keep their healthcare insurance. 

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1. Posted by: $1.2 M Federal Grant for Wisconsin Workers - Labor Law Center Blog

   [...] Secretary Chao pointed to a grant of more than $2 million. The funds went to 400 workers laid off by Micron Technology, Inc., of Boise Idaho. Of the total, the DOL immediately turned over $847,538 to help those workers who were dislocated by the layoffs. [...]

2. Posted by: Aid for California Workers in Wildfires - Labor Law Center Blog

   [...] For example, workers for a Technology firm in Boise, Idaho, who were laid off will receive training for new work thanks to a grant of more than $2 million. The funds are from the U.S. Department of Labor. The more than 400 workers were laid off by Micron Technology. Of the total $2,010,277 grant, $847,538 was immediately released by the DOL. [...]

3. Posted by: Alaska Wins $2 Million Grant - Labor Law Center Blog

   [...] Micron Technology of Boise, Idaho, laid off 400 of its workers, who were assisted by a grant of more than $2 million.. Of the total amount, $847,538 came into the community via an immediate release. [...]