Former Employees of Merrill Corp. v. United States Department of Labor

**Former Employees Win Second Chance for Trade Assistance Benefits** This case involved former employees of Merrill Corp. who lost their jobs and applied for Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) benefits from the U.S. Department of Labor. TAA is a federal program that provides financial help and retraining to workers who lose jobs due to foreign trade or outsourcing. The Department initially denied their application, apparently questioning whether the workers produced an "intangible article" that qualified them for assistance. The court sent the case back to the Department of Labor, ordering them to reconsider the workers' application. The court noted that the Department had developed a new policy about what counts as an "intangible article" for TAA purposes, and the workers' case needed to be reviewed under this updated guidance. **What this means for workers:** This decision shows that government agencies must apply their policies consistently and fairly. When agencies change their rules or interpretations, workers who were previously denied benefits may deserve another review. If you've been denied TAA benefits, policy changes might create new opportunities to reapply or appeal. Workers should stay informed about program updates that could affect their eligibility for assistance after job loss.