Several thousand Boeing workers laid off since May 22, 2008, have been granted extra federal training and unemployment assistance benefits, the International Association of Machinists said today.

The union, Boeing’s largest, filed a petition with the U.S. Department of Labor seeking benefits for Boeing workers under the Trade Adjustment Act. That act provides extra assistance for workers who’ve lost their jobs because of foreign competition.

The Labor Department ruled that the laid-off workers are workers are eligible under that act. The ruling also applies to workers that will be laid off in the next two years.

The benefits include:
• Up to $16,000 for training (if needed) for an in-demand industry;
• An additional one to two years of payments similar to unemployment insurance if a laid-off worker needs it to finish training or find employment (up to 156 weeks);
• An 80-percent tax credit on healthcare coverage premiums;
• Job Search assistance including help to cover travel expenses to a scheduled job interview and up to $1,500 in job search allowances.
• Support to help relocate to take a new job; and,
• A partial wage subsidy for workers over 50 who are re-employed in a lesser-paying job.

The benefits apply to most people who have been laid off by Boeing whether they’re union members or not.

Fifteen orientation sessions have been scheduled for workers potentially eligible for the new aid. A schedule of those session is available through WorkSource or the Machinist Union.