Latest news with #MichiganDepartmentofLaborandEconomicOpportunity
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Governor Whitmer gives keynote address at Mackinac Policy Conference
LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) — Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer is scheduled to address the at 3:10 p.m. Thursday, which 6 News will be streaming in the player above. The conference is an annual event where state and business leaders gather to lay out their plans for the road ahead regarding Michigan's workforce and economic growth. Some of the main topics this year included artificial intelligence and energy. The Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity presented its AI and the Workforce Plan, which aims to adopt AI statewide and create 130,000 jobs. The state also announced a public-private partnership with DTE Energy and Consumers Energy. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
CBS News
16-04-2025
- Business
- CBS News
Over 180 layoffs announced as Wixom plastics plant shuts down
Over 180 layoffs have been announced as a result of a shutdown of the Adept Plastic Finishing facilities in Wixom, Michigan. The details of the layoffs were related in WARN Act notices filed with the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity. The Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act, also known as WARN Act, requires companies going through mass layoffs and / or site closures to issue advance public notice to the state's labor department, should that step meet certain requirements for the size of company or number of people involved. The company provided products for industrial and automotive clients. Tribar Technologies, the company that owned the plant, has been purchased, the documents said. The new owner has decided to consolidate Tribar's southeast Michigan operations into Howell. With that, the Wixom plant operations will wind down. The layoff date is effective June 8, and 188 individuals are affected from the company's facilities on Beck Road and Alpha Drive in Wixom. The buyer "will be interviewing Tribar both hourly and salaried employees for employment opportunities," the letter said.
Yahoo
02-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Michigan sees first expansion of unemployment benefits in over 20 years
An expansion of Michigan's unemployment benefits takes effect Wednesday, bringing a boost to payments and an increase to the length of time workers in the state can receive them. In December 2024, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed into law legislation making the changes to Michigan's unemployment benefits. For new claims filed starting Wednesday, the weekly maximum unemployment benefit will go up to $446 from $362, where it has stood since 2002. In 2002, $362 had the same buying power as $642.42 in February 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' inflation calculator. Under the new law, the weekly maximum unemployment benefit will increase to $530 in 2026 and $614 in 2027. In later years, the law requires the state treasurer to adjust the benefit amount to reflect the change in the Consumer Price Index, a measure of price changes. The new law also increases the benefit amount for each dependent of an unemployed Michigan worker from $6 to $12.66 a week per dependent. The benefit amount will increase to $19.33 in 2026 and $26 in 2027. Subsequent increases will be tied to inflation. Unemployed workers can claim the dependent benefit for up to five dependents, according to the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity. Michigan lawmakers voted on the legislation in December 2024, and Whitmer signed it into law that month. But state lawmakers did not vote to have it take effect immediately, slating it to kick in instead on April 2. But the text of the legislation approved by Whitmer says the increase to Michigan's unemployment benefit amount takes effect Jan. 1, 2025. The Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA) plans to carry out a review of claims filed between Jan. 1 and April 2 to determine which unemployed workers qualify for the higher benefits, a labor department news release states. "If a claim qualifies for increased benefits, UIA will pay the difference to the claimant," reads the release. Nick Assendelft, UIA communications manager, said in an email only some may receive the maximum weekly benefit increase of $84. "Not everyone will get the full amount since how much they are eligible to receive is determined based on each person's situation and wage history. The increase on a case-by-case basis will be only for the weeks between Jan. 1 and April 2, not for weeks when someone was collecting benefits before Jan. 1," he said. But an unemployed worker who filed a claim earlier this year will not be eligible for the new maximum 26 weeks of benefits, up from the current 20 weeks. The new benefit timeline only applies to new claims filed starting Wednesday. The labor department's news release directs claimants to keep an eye on their Michigan Web Account Manager account for updates and recommends ensuring the bank account and address information is current. "If UIA sends a request for information, respond by the stated deadline and use only official forms from UIA to facilitate timely actions on a claim," the release states. In 2011, Whitmer's Republican predecessor — Gov. Rick Snyder — signed legislation cutting the maximum number of weeks unemployed people could claim benefits for from 26 to 20 weeks. Until the new law took effect Wednesday to restore the 26 weeks of unemployment benefits, Michigan was one of a dozen states offering unemployed workers fewer than 26 weeks of unemployment insurance, according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, a Washington, D.C.-based think tank. Every Democratic lawmaker voted for the legislation to expand Michigan's unemployment benefits. Three Republicans joined them: state Sen. Ed McBroom, of Waucedah Township, state Rep. Dave Prestin, of Cedar River, and state Rep. Greg Markkanen, of Hancock. Those GOP lawmakers all hail from Michigan's Upper Peninsula and represent counties in the state with some of the highest unemployment rates, according to the latest figures from the Michigan Center for Data and Analytics. More: Trump tariffs trigger jitters for auto stocks, Michigan economy Those seeking assistance with a claim or with other questions can call customer service at 866-500-0017, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. The state labor department in a news release also directed those interested in meeting with an agent to schedule an in-person, phone or virtual meeting up to 14 days in advance at Contact Clara Hendrickson: chendrickson@ or 313-296-5743. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan sees expansion of unemployment benefits
CBS News
28-03-2025
- Business
- CBS News
Michigan unemployment benefits to increase as much as $84 a week for new claims
Michigan workers who file unemployment claims starting April 2 will see noticeably higher benefit amounts and a longer claim period as compared to recent limits, based on a new law that is taking effect. This effort marks the first increase in the weekly maximum benefits in over 20 years, according to Friday's announcement from the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity. The new law also extends the number of weeks someone is eligible to request benefits on a claim from the current maximum 20 weeks to a maximum 26 weeks. "The increases in benefits and weeks will put extra money into the pockets of thousands of Michiganders at a time when they need it the most," Jason Palmer, director of the Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency said, citing a spinoff impact to local businesses as unemployed workers spend the benefit funds. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed the bill into law in December, but the Michigan legislature did not permit immediate implementation. As a result, the earliest date the changes could take effect is April 2. Each person's weekly benefit is calculated based on eligibility at the date of filing. The increase pushes the maximum weekly benefit up by $84 a week from the existing $362 a week to $446 a week for the remainder of 2025. The maximum weekly benefit will then go to $530 in 2026 and $614 in 2027. In addition, the amount for each dependent claimed in an unemployment benefits case will go from the current $6 a week to $12.66 for the remainder of 2025. The dependent benefit will be $19.33 each in 2026 and $26 each in 2027. Those receiving unemployment benefits can claim up to five dependents when they file a claim. Those amounts do include taxes, as recipients can choose whether to take taxes out at the time of unemployment checks are issued or settle at tax time. Further adjustments starting in 2028 will be automatic, based on the national Consumer Price Index. That being said, there are some special rules that apply to anyone who started a Michigan unemployment claim between Jan. 1 and April 2. The state labor department explained that the Unemployment Insurance Agency will review active claims that were filed between Jan. 1 and April 2, and make retroactive determinations to see who would otherwise have been eligible for more money during that time. If someone is eligible for a retroactive increase, the Unemployment Insurance Agency will pay out that difference. There will be no retroactive change to the number of benefit weeks that someone can file for. The new 26-week range only applies to new claims filed April 2 or later. Those who are receiving unemployment benefits or applying for the first time should check their Michigan Web Account Manager (MiWAM) account regularly for updates and to make sure their address and bank account information is current.
CBS News
31-01-2025
- Business
- CBS News
More than 200 Macy's employees in Metro Detroit to lose jobs from store closings
(CBS DETROIT) - Over 200 Macy's employees will lose their jobs as a result of the retailer closing its department stores in Sterling Heights and Troy. That information was found in the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notifications (WARN) notices that Macy's filed with the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity. The affected jobs include general and specialty sales, asset protection and managerial roles. The date for the permanent layoffs at both locations is listed in state reports as March 18. The Sterling Heights store is at 14200 Lakeside Circle in Lakeside Mall. There will be 117 jobs impacted there, according to state records. The Troy store is at 500 West 14 Mile Road in Oakland Mall. There wil be 92 jobs impacted there. The WARN act requires companies going through mass layoffs and / or site closures to issue advance public notice to the state's labor department, should that step meet certain requirements for the size of company or number of people involved. The Macy's corporate office previously reported the Troy, Sterling Heights, Traverse City and Flint locations as among over 60 locations that will close this year. The Macy's store in Toledo, Ohio, also is on the list. Most of the closings were expected to take place during Q1. In the meantime, the company plans to invest in "its 350 go-forward Macy's locations" through fiscal year 2026.
