Nebraska jobless claims jump 42 percent (over a year ago)

[Omaha Steve]

The Vise Grip plant moving to China didn't help.

http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_page=1208&u_sid=10498924

Published Wednesday November 26, 2008
Nebraska jobless claims jump 42 percent
BY PAUL HAMMEL
WORLD-HERALD BUREAU

LINCOLN - Be thankful for a job this Thanksgiving.

Claims for unemployment insurance in Nebraska rose about 42 percent in October compared with October 2007, reflecting the troubled economy and possibly earlier-than-normal seasonal layoffs, state labor officials said Wednesday.

On the Web Click here to apply for unemployment benefits online.
The increase has slowed the processing of claims from the typical three to four weeks to four to six weeks, said Jill Schreck, unemployment insurance benefits field manager with the Nebraska Department of Labor.

Schreck urged patience for those who have just lost their jobs and need benefits. Officials recommended applying for benefits via the department's Web site to ensure a faster response.

"We apologize, certainly, because they're in a bad situation, and we sympathize with that," she said.

Schreck said the department has hired nine additional workers to answer telephone inquiries and expects to hire more to handle calls about unemployment benefits. Currently, 61 workers staff the department's call center in Lincoln.


FULL story at link.

[POAS]

1. Looks like the misery is

spreading from the "rust belt" to areas that thought they might be immune.

It won't be long before we are all trade "protectionists". That or unemployed.

[POAS]

2. wrong place

[POAS]

3. Steve you should have cross posted in GD

not getting much attention here.