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Box 1354 St. Louis, MO 63188 Voice: 314-771-0200 Fax: 314-771-0300 To submit news, contact: editor@slfp.com To advertise, contact: advertising@slfp.com Dislocated Missouri Workers to Receive $1 Million in Assistance ST. LOUIS (SLFP.com), September 23, 2007 - The U.S. Department of Labor has announced a grant of $1,098,450, with an initial release of $499,304, to assist approximately 310 workers dislocated as a result of the permanent closure of the O'Sullivan Industries plant located in Lamar, Mo. "This nearly $1.1 million grant will help Missouri workers access employment services to help them find new jobs in high growth industries," said U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao. On April 16, O'Sullivan Industries issued a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification announcing that the company would begin layoffs on July 20. The state held several Rapid Response sessions from May 14 to 17 to inform affected workers of the services available to them through the public workforce investment system. All of the affected workers at the Lamar plant also have been certified by the Labor Department's Employment and Training Administration as eligible to apply for Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA). The grant, awarded to the Missouri Division of Workforce Development, will provide services not covered under the TAA program. Services may include career counseling, skills assessment and job placement assistance. More Illinois Workers Confident in Ability to Find New Job CHICAGO (SLFP.com), September 23, 2007 - The Employee Confidence Index remained at 55.7 in August, according to the latest Spherion(R) Employment Report. The monthly survey of Illinois workers, conducted by Harris Interactive(R) on behalf of Spherion Corporation, reported that more workers are confident in their ability to find a new job, however more workers also believe that the economy is getting weaker and that there are fewer jobs available. The current Index reading is 5.9 points higher than the level in August 2006. Results from the Illinois Employment Report: -- Fifty-five percent of workers reported that they believe the economy is getting weaker, an increase of 12 percentage points from the previous month. -- Nearly half (48%) of workers reported that they believe fewer jobs are available, a 10 percentage point increase from July. -- More workers are confident in their ability to find a new job, with sixty-six percent reporting confidence about their potential job prospects, an increase of 14 percentage point from July. "It's a good sign that overall worker confidence stabilized in August, especially considering the concerns about the economy across the state and throughout the country," explained Michael Ruter, managing director of Spherion Professional Services in Chicago. "Although it is true for certain industries, such as manufacturing and mortgages, other industries such as insurance and technology are showing positive trends in hiring. We are looking forward to continued growth as we move into the holiday season." Missouri Employers Add 11,000 Jobs in August ST. LOUIS (SLFP.com), September 23, 2007 - Gov. Matt Blunt announced, while visiting with workers at the Bodine Aluminum Plant in Troy, that Missourians created 11,000 jobs on a seasonally adjusted basis in August bringing the total number of jobs created since January 2005 to 92,900. Manufacturing employment increased by 2,700 as some automobile plants returned from layoffs. "This was an outstanding month for job creation fueled by the tireless efforts of Missouri workers," Blunt said."I have seen their dedication firsthand in visits I have made to communities and worksites throughout our state that have reinforced the fact that our pro-jobs, pro-growth initiatives are making a difference. We will continue doing everything we can to help create jobs and opportunities for all Missourians." Blunt has made helping employers and entrepreneurs create good, family-supporting jobs a top priority. Legislative changes he has championed have made Missouri a more hospitable place for job creators by securing real lawsuit and workers' compensation reform combined with innovative new proposals like his Quality Jobs Act. In August, Blunt signed legislation strengthening his Missouri Quality Jobs Act, which has helped create more than 17,000 new jobs with health care benefits in just two years and expanded the Enhanced Enterprise Zone program which helps spur development and job creation in economically challenged areas. Those achievements reached during an important special legislative session called by the governor, were the capstone to a year that has already seen the passage of Blunt's Lewis and Clark Discovery Initiative, which will deliver $335 million to colleges and universities across the state, and a new law providing exemptions for manufacturers to help generate jobs in an important economic sector. Archived: Managers Believe in Motivational Benefits of Remote Working but Worry About Productivity Job Creation Bill Opens Door to More High Wage Jobs with Health Benefits Background Checks are Critical in Today's Workplace Construction Jobs Booming but Workforce Still Lacks Women and African-Americans Background Checks are Critical in Today's Workplace Butting Heads With the Boss: Speak Your Mind Without Regretting It New Research Shows Remote and Home-Based Employees Feel More Favorably About Company Community-Based Job Training Grants Impact Community and Technical Colleges Federal- and State-Level Minimum Wage Hikes Hurting Teen Job Market Strong Global Economy Boosts Demand for Contingent Tech/Engineering Workers    The Saint Louis Front Page is owned and maintained by the Moore Design Group for the sole purpose of disseminating news and information about the Metropolitan Saint Louis area. 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