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The Honolulu Advertiser

Posted at 12:53 p.m., Friday, January 19, 2007

Federal grants available for laid off Del Monte workers

Advertiser Staff

The U.S. Department of Labor today awarded the state a $569,230 grant for employment assistance for about 180 workers displaced by the shutdown of Del Monte Fresh Produce's Kunia pineapple operations.

Affected workers were also declared eligible to apply for Trade Adjustment Assistance and Alternative Trade Adjustment Assistance last week.

Del Monte announced last February that it would cease operations of its Kunia pineapple operations by the end of 2008. But in November it announced it would shut down operations immediately because of lower production and pineapple prices and lay off 551 employees.

"Through this $569,230 grant and the services available through the (Trade Adjustment Assistance) program, these workers will have better opportunities to build new careers," said U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao.