Rick Scott Directs DEO to Assist Workers Hit by American Airlines' Layoffs

Gov. Rick Scott released the following statement after Fort Worth-based American Airlines notified the state of plans to reduce its Florida work force by up to 1,414 later this year:

American Airlines announcement today is certainly bad news for their company and a setback for hundreds of Florida families. We are focused on growing our economy so every Floridian has access to a great job because we know that having the opportunity to work hard and provide for your children is the heart of the American dream.

I asked the Department of Economic Opportunity Director Hunting Deutsch to work with the Southwest Florida Workforce Investment Board, the Beacon Council, the Miami Chamber of Commerce and the associated labor unions to immediately develop a plan to transition these highly skilled aviation workers into other jobs. We know that Florida workers want to work, and assisting them in identifying other opportunities in our state is a top priority.