JANESVILLE, WI – First District Congressman Paul Ryan today announced that he has been notified by the U.S. Department of Labor that trade adjustment assistance (TAA) certifications have been approved for Outboard Marine Corporation (OMC) workers at that company's plants in Beloit, Wisconsin and Waukegan, Illinois who recently lost their jobs.

"Finally, this is some good news for Outboard Marine workers and their families," said Ryan. "It opens the door for them to apply for a range of benefits – from further training to job search allowances – that will help them reenter the workforce," Ryan said. "Lots of people in our area were hit hard when OMC laid off its workers and filed for bankruptcy. These workers have more than earned this federal assistance to help them make the transition to new employment."

In a January 2001 letter that Ryan sent to the U.S. Secretary of Labor, he drew attention to a TAA petition request by former OMC workers and asked that "the Employment and Training Administration's Office of Trade Adjustment Assistance give full and fair consideration to the TAA petition request of the former employees of OMC."

The Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) program is a federal program that provides aid to 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 recently-issued Certifications Regarding Eligibility apply to all workers of Outboard Marine Corporation of Beloit, Wisconsin and Waukegan, Illinois, who became totally or partially separated from employment on or after January 10, 2000, and January 5, 2000 (respectively) through two years from the date of certification.
 
OMC workers who are interested in applying for TAA benefits, should contact their local County Job Center (see contact information below.)

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