Lawsuit Seeks Govt Benefits For Laid-Off Software Workers

[Pale_Rider]

I didn't imagine that out-of-work software workers would be denied federal job-training benefits. The only thing that will stem off-shoring is software workers making it expensive for the federal goverment to support off-shoring!

http://biz.yahoo.com/djus/040128/1607001532_1.html

NEW YORK (Dow Jones)--Laid-off software workers have filed a lawsuit accusing the U.S. Department of Labor (News - Websites) of illegally denying them federal job-training benefits.

The suit, which seeks class-action status, was filed Jan. 2 in the U.S. Court of International Trade in New York, said Michael G. Smith, attorney for the plaintiffs. The suit wants a judge to order the Labor Department to make laid- off software workers eligible for weekly cash payments and other benefits under the Trade Adjustment Assistance program.

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Some displaced American workers have turned to the Trade Adjustment Assistance program for help. Begun in the 1960's, TAA was designed to soften the blow to U.S. workers of increased imports or transfers of jobs overseas. Traditionally, workers in manufacturing have been eligible for the benefits, which include vouchers for job-training classes and cash payments after regular unemployment compensation runs out.

But over the past two years, the Labor Department has ruled many software workers ineligible for TAA benefits. The Labor Department has said software and information-technology services don't qualify as products, or "articles," under TAA guidelines. Only workers who made more tangible products, such as clothing and furniture, can get TAA benefits, the department has ruled.

[hang a left]

1. I hope that they prevail.

[brokensymmetry]

2. Likewise! n/t

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