The more than 500 union and salaried workers who lost their jobs at Union Tank Car during the year before its East Chicago plant closed in May are eligible for increased unemployment benefits and employment training.

The U.S. Department of Labor has ruled favorably on a petition from Kelly Hounshell, head of the plant's union, requesting Trade Adjustment Assistance and Alternative Trade Adjustment Assistance program benefits.

Hounshell, president of International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, Iron Ship Builders, Blacksmiths, Forgers and Helpers Local 524, said the certification would double the length of eligible workers' unemployment benefits to 52 weeks from three-quarters that amount. The certification also may provide some health insurance assistance and job training.

Union Tank Car closed the local plant at the end of May and moved all of its tank car production to its non-union plants in Texas and Louisiana. The closure eliminated the jobs about 70 salaried and 375 hourly employees. However, the assistance also covers those who lost their jobs due to the company's staff reductions on or after May 29, 2007.

Hounshell said he doesn't have any way of knowing how many of Union Tank Car's hourly workers have found new employment yet.

"Some have found work, some are looking and some have no idea what they will do," he said. "A few were hired into the mills, but not a lot. I haven't heard of a whole lot of them getting jobs at all."

The local has sent to its members letters explaining the benefits, and they will be contacted by the U.S. Department of Labor or the Indiana Department of Workforce Development for dates, times and the place to sign up for the additional benefits.

"People are very happy about this," Hounshell said Monday. "But the assistance is not automatic. People have to apply for it."

Gary Abell, spokesman for the Indiana Department of Workforce Development, said the agency currently is working with Union Tank Car to get a list of workers affected.

"We hope to have it fairly soon," he said. "When we do, we'll send them a letter that they may be eligible for the TAA benefits."

WorkOne and the Department of Workforce Development will hold several orientation sessions locally explaining the TAA and ATAA programs.

"We want workers to understand what's available," Abell said. "We'll review eligibility and explain deadlines for each program. But it's up to each worker to sign up."

Afterwards, there will be smaller sessions to do skills assessments for each worker.

"We want to see how their experience and skills mesh with what's available to what's available or emerging in the area's job market," Abell said. "Within two weeks, workers should be receiving the letters."

Trade Adjustment Assistance provides:

-- An additional 13 weeks of unemployment benefits

-- Individualized skills assistance and job training

-- An additional 52 weeks of unemployment benefits for those in a job training program

-- Internal Revenue Service tax credits covering up to 65 percent of health insurance coverage

-- Job search allowance

-- Job search and relocation assistance for positions outside a 50-mile radius

Alternative Trade Adjustment Assistance for workers more than 50 years of age provides:

Up to $10,000 maximum salary differential for those fully employed but making less than their Union Tank Car hourly rate. The program pays 50 percent of the difference between their former hourly and their new salary.