Vertellus Workers to Receive Federal Help

Aurorium, formerly Vertellus, is more than 150 years-old and its presence in Indianapolis dates back to the late-1800s.

Employees being laid off by Indianapolis-based Vertellus Specialties Inc. will have access to federal assistance. The U.S. Department of Labor says workers affected by the layoffs announced in August are eligible to receive services under the Trade Adjustment Assistance program.

The assistance is available to workers employed at Vertellus between September 19, 2015 and October 11, 2018. The TAA program offers benefits, including weekly trade readjustment allowances, reemployment services, job search and relocation allowances, health insurance premium assistance and training.

The Indiana Department of Workforce Development says employees 50 and older may also eligible for Reemployment Trade Adjustment Assistance. The program offers a wage subsidy of 50 percent of the difference between the employee’s new salary and old salary, up to $10,000.

In a notice to the state in August, the chemical manufacturing company said it was closing a portion of its Indianapolis plant, leading to the layoffs of 40-50 workers, beginning around October 17. The DWD says it is encouraging affected employees to contact their local WorkOne Career Center to connect to TAA services.