03.21.02

Cantwell: Laid off Boeing Workers to Receive Federal Assistance

WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) today announced that 18,000 laid off Boeing workers from Washington state are now eligible for federally funded training assistance, income support, and a job search allowance. These benefits are the result of the U.S. Department of Labor's certification of Boeing workers' petition for Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) under the Trade Act.

"This is great news during tough times for Boeing workers," Cantwell said. "It represents significant support for training and education for a very talented work force. This announcement gives people more certainty about their future."

The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, with the support and assistance of Cantwell, submitted the TAA petition to the Department of Labor late last year. This announcement will affect approximately 28,000 workers throughout the country and 18,000 in Washington state. Eligible program participants will receive up to $9,000 in tuition in state-funded education institutions and income support of up to $480 per week.

TAA was established under the Trade Act of 1974. The TAA program provides aid to workers who lost their jobs or whose hours of work and wages are reduced as a result of increased imports. The program offers a variety of benefits and reemployment services to assist unemployed workers prepare for and obtain suitable employment. Workers may be eligible for training, job search and relocation allowances, income support and other reemployment services.

Eligible laid off Boeing workers will be entitled to:

Training: workers may receive up to 104 weeks of approved training in occupational skills, basic or remedial education, or literacy training.

Income Support: Trade Readjustment Allowances (TRA) are weekly cash payments available for 52 weeks after a worker's unemployment compensation is exhausted.

Job Search Allowance: reimburses workers for approved expenses if successful in obtaining employment outside the normal commuting area.