Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations News Release

Bob Holden
Governor

Catherine B. Leapheart
Director

Tammy Cavender
Public Information Coordinator

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:  Tammy Cavender (573) 751-7500
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  April 17, 2003

ELIGIBLE AIRLINE WORKERS TO RECEIVE ADDITIONAL UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE BENEFITS UP TO 26 WEEKS

Jefferson City, MO – Airline workers who are eligible may receive additional temporary extended unemployment compensation under a bill signed yesterday.  Eligible individuals may be entitled to additional benefits after their original temporary extended unemployment compensation is exhausted.  The first week eligible will be the week ending April 26, 2003.

Under the new legislation, eligible individuals must have worked in “qualifying employment” as defined by the federal government.  Qualifying employment means employment with

1. an air carrier*;
2. at a facility at an airport; or
3. with an upstream producer** or supplier*** for an air carrier and from which was due, in whole or in part, to
·     reductions in service by an air carrier as a result of a terrorist action or security measure****;
·     a closure of an airport as a result of a terrorist action or security measure; or
·     a military conflict with Iraq that has been authorized by Congress.

The Missouri Division of Employment Security presently is waiting for further instructions from the U.S. Department of Labor and will provide more details on eligibility and claims filing as soon as they are available.  Individuals who are potentially eligible for the extended benefits will be notified by mail by the Division of Employment Security.
 

*Air Carrier means an air carrier that holds a certificate issued under 49USC411.
**Upstream Producer means a firm that performs additional, value-added, production processes, including firms that perform final assembly, finishing, or packaging of articles, for another firm.
***Supplier means a firm that produces component parts for, or articles and contract services considered to be part of the production process or services for, another firm.
****Terrorist Action or Security Measure means a terrorist attack on the United States on September 11, 2001, or a security measure taken in response to such attack.