WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced an emergency grant to the R.I. Department of Labor and Training, to assist the roughly 246 local workers displaced by the layoffs at the former Brooks Eckerd corporate headquarters in Warwick.
The layoffs were announced June 5, the day after Camp Hill, Pa.-based Rite Aid completed its acquisition of the former Brooks Eckerd pharmacies, and are expected to continue through next May. On June 6 and 7, the DLT conducted Rapid Response sessions to inform the affected workers of the services available.
“This $1.2 million grant will help these Rhode Island workers with skills training and other employment services, to help them find and succeed in new jobs,” said U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao.
National Emergency Grants, paid out of the labor secretary’s discretionary fund, are awarded based on a state’s ability to meet specific guidelines. The DLT will use the federal aid – $685,497 of which was released immediately – to provide services including career and occupational skills assessment, development and training.
For additional information on the U.S. Department of Labor and its National Emergency Grants, visit www.doleta.gov/NEG.
