URGENT ACTION: Release National Emergency Grant Funds for ATA and Aloha Flight Attendants


National Emergency Grants
In early April, ATA and Aloha Airlines abruptly ceased operations, putting more than 1,100 flight attendants out of work.  Since then, they have all struggled to find employment and readjust their lives in a very difficult time.  In an effort to help them, a number of Senators and Representatives wrote the Department of Labor in April urging the Secretary to release National Emergency Grants to assist them in retraining and other programs.

National Emergency Grants are discretionary grants that may be awarded by the Secretary of Labor pursuant to Section 173 of the Workforce Investment Act.  These funds may be awarded to provide employment related services for dislocated workers.  As they struggle to put their lives back together, release of these funds is crucial. Tell Me More...

 

Sample Letter for Campaign

Subject: Tell DOL Secretary to Release National Emergency Grants for Laid Off Aloha and ATA Flight Attendants

Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,

In early April, ATA and Aloha Airlines abruptly ceased operations, putting myself and more than 1,100 flight attendants out of work. Since then, we have all struggled to find employment and readjust our lives in a very difficult time. In an effort to help us, a number of Senators and Representatives wrote the Department of Labor in April urging the Secretary to release National Emergency Grants to assist us in retraining and other programs.

National Emergency Grants are discretionary grants that may be awarded by the Secretary of Labor pursuant to Section 173 of the Workforce Investment Act. These funds may be awarded to provide employment related services for dislocated workers. As we struggle to put our lives back together, release of these funds is crucial.

We would appreciate your assistance in persuading the Secretary of Labor to release these funds quickly. Time is running out for many of us as we find ourselves looking for work in a difficult economy and attempting to retrain and struggling without health insurance.

I urge you to please contact the Secretary of Labor and demand that she release National Emergency Grants for laid off Aloha and ATA flight attendants.

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

Campaign Launched:
May 22, 2008


Background Information

In early April, ATA and Aloha Airlines abruptly ceased operations, putting more than 1,100 flight attendants out of work.  Since then, they have all struggled to find employment and readjust their lives in a very difficult time.  In an effort to help them, a number of Senators and Representatives wrote the Department of Labor in April urging the Secretary to release National Emergency Grants to assist them in retraining and other programs.

National Emergency Grants are discretionary grants that may be awarded by the Secretary of Labor pursuant to Section 173 of the Workforce Investment Act.  These funds may be awarded to provide employment related services for dislocated workers.  As they struggle to put their lives back together, release of these funds is crucial.

A successful transition to a new career requires targeted dislocated worker intervention services. For Aloha and ATA flight attendants, whose unemployment follows years of wage and work rule concessions during bankruptcy for their carriers, the releasing of these National Emergency Grant funds by the Department of Labor Secretary is crucial to address their specific re-training needs.

Please contact your Representatives in Congress and urge them to contact the Secretary of Labor and demand that she release National Emergency Grants for laid off Aloha and ATA flight attendants.