Workers from BorgWarner in Muncie Eligible for Federal Aid

The TAA program, which is administered at the state level by the Indiana Department of Workforce Development, is made available to workers who are displaced due to foreign imports or shifts in production out of the country.

The federal ruling was issued on June 29, 2007 and applies to workers who became totally or partially separated from employment on or after May 22, 2006, through June 29, 2009.

In order for dislocated workers to be eligible for TAA benefits, a company executive, union representative or three former employees must file a petition with the Department of Labor and it must be approved before benefits can be released.

Additionally, the Department of Labor issued a certification for alternative trade adjustment assistance (ATAA) for separated older workers at Muncie’s BorgWarner plant.  It was found that a significant number of workers at the company age 50 or over possess skills that are not easily transferable and that competitive conditions within the industry are adverse. Older workers may choose between regular TAA benefits or a wage subsidy of 50% of the difference between their new salary and old salary, up to $10,000

The TAA program provides a variety of benefits and services to help unemployed workers prepare for and obtain suitable employment. Workers may be eligible for a variety of re-employment services, job search and relocation allowances and training. In addition, weekly trade re-adjustment allowances may be payable to eligible workers following the exhaustion of unemployment insurance benefits.