NYS program saves 300 LI jobs

LONG ISLAND

NYS program saves 300 LI jobs

The state's Shared Work program, whose aim is to avert layoffs, saved 300 jobs on Long Island in 2012, nearly one-tenth of the jobs saved statewide, the Labor Department said Tuesday. That's down, however, from 350 in 2011. And the numbers also declined in other regions around the state, something the Labor Department attributed to improved economic conditions. Under the program, employees whose hours are reduced at participating companies can apply for partial unemployment benefits to make up for the lost wages. The program also allows them to keep their benefits such as health insurance and vacation days. On Long Island the number of workers participating in the program fell to 1,160 in 2012, compared with 1,350 the year before. The number of plans approved dropped to 145 from 175 in 2011. Statewide, 3,280 jobs were saved, and 12,610 employees participated. To apply for the program, employers can call the department at 518- 457-5807.-- Carrie Mason-Draffen

NEW YORK

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NATION

Jeep's Twitter account hacked

A Chrysler spokesman says someone hacked into the Jeep brand's Twitter account Tuesday afternoon, making false tweets for about an hour. The move was similar to an incident involving Burger King on Monday, although it's unclear if the two are linked. Hackers posted that the Jeep brand had been sold to Cadillac because employees had been caught using pills. They also posted that there would be no more Jeep production. Chrysler spokesman Ed Garsten said the company's social media agency got help from Twitter to regain control.

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