Gov. Gregoire�s statement on Starbucks layoffs

For Immediate Release: January 28, 2009

OLYMPIA � Gov. Chris Gregoire today released the following statement on layoffs announced by Starbucks:

�Washington state is facing a series of layoffs that is disappointing. Today�s announcement by Starbucks, in addition to job reductions scheduled at Boeing, Weyerhaeuser and Washington Mutual, among others, has a significant effect on our state�s economy and emphasizes the need to immediately pass national and state economic recovery plans.

�As elected officials, employers, workers and citizens, we must join together and act now to help reverse this disturbing trend. These recovery efforts will help get people back to work as well as kick-start our state and national economies.

�Those Starbucks employees affected by today�s decision should contact Washington�s Employment Security Department for help with filing for unemployment insurance and to explore other job opportunities. The state�s highest priority is to help workers find other good-paying jobs as quickly as possible.�