Former Employees of Black & Decker Power Tools v. Chao

**Black & Decker Workers Win Trade Assistance Benefits** This case involved former employees of Black & Decker Power Tools who were seeking Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) benefits. TAA is a federal program that provides financial help and retraining services to workers who lose their jobs due to foreign trade - essentially when companies move operations overseas or face increased foreign competition. Initially, the Department of Labor had denied these workers' application for TAA benefits. However, the workers challenged this decision, and during the court proceedings, the Department of Labor reconsidered and revised its determination. The agency ultimately found that the Black & Decker employees were indeed eligible for the assistance they had requested. Since the workers got what they wanted - eligibility for TAA benefits - the court dismissed the case as resolved. **What this means for workers:** This case shows that it's worth challenging government denials of Trade Adjustment Assistance benefits. Even if initially denied, workers can fight these decisions through legal channels. The case demonstrates that the Department of Labor can and will reconsider its determinations when presented with additional evidence or arguments. Workers facing job losses due to foreign competition should know that TAA benefits exist and that denials aren't necessarily final.