WASHINGTON, DC – First District Congressman Paul Ryan today announced that he has been notified by the U.S. Department of Labor that Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) certification has been approved for workers who recently lost their jobs at Acme Die Casting of Racine.
 
The Trade Adjustment Assistance program is a federal program that assists workers who lose their jobs or whose hours of work and wages are reduced as a result of increased imports.  A petition for TAA may be filed by a group of three or more workers, their union or a company official. Possible benefits available through the TAA program include new career training, income support, and job search and relocation allowances. The U.S. Department of Labor determines group eligibility for assistance through the TAA program, and it must issue its Certification Regarding Eligibility before trade-affected workers may apply individually for benefits under this program.

The Department of Labor's Certification Regarding Eligibility to apply for TAA for Acme Die Casting workers was signed on June 13, 2001 and states:

"All workers at Acme Die Castings, Racine, Wisconsin, who became totally or partially separated from employment on or after May 9, 2000, through two years from the date of certification, are eligible to apply for adjustment assistance under Section 223 of the Trade Act of 1974."

Earlier this year, the U.S. Department of Labor certified certain former Acme workers as eligible to apply for trade-related assistance in the form of NAFTA-Transitional Adjustment Assistance (NAFTA-TAA). The most recent certification issued by the Labor Department provides dislocated Acme workers with the chance to apply for another form of federal trade-related assistance.

Acme workers who would like to apply for TAA benefits should contact their county job center (see contact information listed below.)