Starting Monday, Mainers seeking unemployment will need to do so in an alphabetical fashion. That's the day the Maine Depeartment of Labor says those with last names beginning with A through H can call the office for help. Tuesday is reserved for those with names beginning with I through Q, and Wednesday for those last names that begin with R through Z. Thursday and Friday are being left unassigned for those who miss their alphabetical day.
The department says in a statement that it is taking the step due to "unprecedented numbers" of unemployment calls. Officials say they hope the method will lead to less phone congestion and shorter wait times.
