
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: MONDAY, July 9, 1990                   TAG: 9007090081
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL                    PAGE: A8   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

COUNTERS FOR CENSUS LOSING AID

As thousands of temporary Census Bureau workers wrap up their work this summer, they are finding that they may not be able to collect unemployment checks because of a cost-cutting move by Congress two months ago.

Normally, work by temporary census employees counts toward eligibility for unemployment benefits while looking for their next job. But Congress decided in May that census work since April 20 would no longer be counted toward the benefits.

Census workers said the bureau did not notify them of the change until a few days ago. Some said they found out only when they filed a claim with their local unemployment office and were told they were not eligible.

Some workers said they believe the bureau kept the move quiet to avoid mass resignations during the busiest phase of the count. Bureau officials denied that charge.

Bureau officials said communication about the change was not immediate because the normal process after a bill is signed into law is for the agency involved to give a legal interpretation of its provisions. They said the ability to pass on information to census workers was also limited because they are out in the field.

- The New York Times

by CNB