Section 28(1)(c)
AVAILABILITY, Definition of labor market, Geographical area, Responsibility for transportation, Walking distance
CITE AS: Ditmore v Terry's Lounge, No. 78-838-555-AE, Wayne Circuit Court (April 20, 1979)
Appeal pending: No
Claimant: Grace Ditmore
Employer: Terry's Lounge
Docket No: B77 6663 55827
CIRCUIT COURT HOLDING: Where a claimant with limited work experience last worked five miles from home, but limits his or her availability to jobs within walking distance, even after 18 consecutive weeks of unemployment, the claimant is not available for work.
FACTS: Claimant was laid off from a job as a pizza cook five miles from her home. Her eligibility was questioned when 18 weeks later, she was referred to but declined a cook's position located seven or eight miles from home. Allegedly because of transportation uncertainties claimant restricted her availability to restaurants within walking distance.
DECISION: The claimant does not meet the availability requirements of Section 28(1)(c) of the Act.
RATIONALE: Transportation is the responsibility of the claimant. "[C]ases cited by the appellee support the position of this Court, namely, In Re Barcomb, 315 A2d 476 (1974), and the conclusions of these jurisdictions appear clear that availability' and hence the applicable 'labor market' in which an applicant must be 'available' is a function of the individual applicant. An individual must offer his services in a market, and that market must be a sufficient geographical area to provide or encompass employers who use the type of services offered by this applicant."
"In brief, for the claimant to restrict her availability for work as a pizza cook to a walking distance from her home was certainly unreasonable. By this restriction, she did not genuinely expose herself to jobs in her labor market. It must be emphasized that the record made before Referee Berk would indicate that the claimant did have transportation, that is the same transportation she possessed when she worked at Terry's."
11/90
3, 5, 7:A