Stimulus Extends TAA Benefits to Service Workers

In a big victory for service workers, the Obama administration's economic recovery plan has extended federal Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) to customer service professionals and high-tech and public sector workers who lose their jobs due to offshoring, imports, and other trade practices. Until now, these workers had been excluded from receiving TAA benefits.

CWA customer service professionals have been a big part of the fight to gain equal treatment under the Trade Adjustment Assistance program. At CWA customer service conferences, participants organized lobbying campaigns and other efforts to push Congress to give service workers the same benefits that manufacturing workers already had. TAA provides job training, extended jobless benefits and help in keeping health care coverage.

TAA coverage also was extended to cover public workers in service occupations who increasingly are losing their jobs to offshoring as some cities and states send customer service jobs overseas.

CWA represents more than 200,000 customer service, high tech, and public service workers.

A new Office of Trade Adjustment Assistance has been established to help workers get the benefits they need. More information is available at http://www.doleta.gov/tradeact/.