Q: A recent article stated that thousands of Verizon workers on strike has inflated the national unemployment figures. However, according to the Department of Labor's website, these people would be in an industrial dispute and would be considered employed. What's real? -- Stephen Needel, Marietta
A: Many of the 45,000 Verizon workers who were on strike during a two-week stretch of August filed applications for benefits even though they might not have been eligible, and were a part of a surge in unemployment claims for that period, the Wall Street Journal's Marketwatch reported. In most cases, workers on strike or who walk away from their jobs, aren't eligible for benefits, but certain states have specific rules in labor disputes, The Associated Press reported.
Q: Do other countries offer any type of aid to the U.S. after natural disasters, i.e., Katrina, Irene? -- Ann Levin, Tucker
A: Countries offered aid to the U.S. after Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico last year. Allies offered $854 million in cash and in oil that was to be sold for cash after Katrina, The Washington Post reported in 2007, but only $126 million in cash from 40 donors was received. These countries gave the biggest cash pledges: United Arab Emirates ($100 million), China and Bahrain ($5 million each), South Korea ($3.8 million) and Taiwan ($2 million). A total of $454 million in cash was pledged by more than 150 countries and foreign organizations. Several countries, including Canada, Mexico, Norway, Sweden, Japan and The Netherlands, among others, sent equipment or offered help after last year's oil spill, the Post reported.
Lori Johnston wrote this column. Do you have a question about the news? We’ll try to get the answer. Call 404-222-2002 or email q&a@ajc.com (include name, phone and city).
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