National Press Release

ROME, March 30 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- U.S. Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today issued the following statement on the American automotive industry:

"I am committed to revitalizing the American auto industry and helping manufacturing communities create new jobs to rebuild local economies. For hardest hit workers and communities, we will do everything we can to provide relief and paths to re-employment.

"The plan the president laid out today appropriately focuses on protecting the workers and communities feeling the effects of poor decisions made by the corporate leadership of the auto companies. Another goal is to achieve a sustainable auto industry in the U.S. for the future.

"The Department of Labor is already providing enhanced unemployment benefits to workers who have lost their jobs and additional job training funds to help displaced workers gain new job skills. Our Trade Adjustment Assistance program is available to provide income support, health insurance coverage, training funds and access to wage insurance. We will continue to look for ways to help these workers, their families and their communities.

"I look forward to working closely with President Obama and Director of Recovery for Auto Communities Ed Montgomery to make sure the communities hit hardest by the auto crisis can retool and revitalize their economies."

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SOURCE U.S. Department of Labor