INDIANAPOLIS — Certain employees of Chrysler’s Kokomo Transmission Plant are eligible to receive services under the federal Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) program, the Indiana Department of Workforce Development announced this week.
The decision was brought on by an amended ruling by the U.S. Department of Labor, Workforce Development reported.
The federal ruling was issued March 23 and applies to workers totally or partially separated from employment on or after Nov. 14, 2007 through two years from the date of certification. The workers produced aluminum transmissions, cases and component parts.
Additionally, the Labor Department issued a certification for Alternative Trade Adjustment Assistance (ATAA) for separated older workers at the Kokomo facilities. It found that a significant number of Chrysler’s workers age 50 and older 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 percent of the difference between their new salary and old salary, up to $10,000.
Also included in the decision were employees from Kokomo Casting Plant and on-site leased workers from Aerotek, American Food & Vending and Wackenhut Security.
The TAA program is made available to workers who are displaced due to foreign imports or shifts in production out of the country.
The TAA program provides benefits to help unemployed workers prepare for and obtain suitable employment. They 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 employment insurance benefits.
