a news release from the

OKLAHOMA EMPLOYMENT SECURITY COMMISSION

 

CONTACT:

John Carpenter, Public Information Officer

Phone: (405) 557-5469

Email: john.carpenter@oesc.state.ok.us

http://oesc.ok.gov

 

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

MORE LAID-OFF WORKERS OF AVAYA INC. IN OKLAHOMA CITY APPROVED FOR TRADE BENEFITS 

Special Status Granted to Former Employees by the U.S. Department of Labor 

 

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK  (June 20, 2012) – Laid-off workers at Avaya Inc., Global Support Services (GSS) in Oklahoma City and in virtual offices located in Oklahoma have been ruled eligible for the Trade Readjustment Assistance (TRA) program by the U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL).  TRA provides assistance to those who lose jobs or significant work hours because of increased imports or a shift in production out of the country.  TRA-certified workers can access services such as income support, relocation and job search allowances, and health coverage tax credits.  Those that need retraining for suitable employment may receive occupational training.  The goal is to quickly reconnect laid-off workers with suitable employment.

 

In a recent ruling, the USDOL found that former onsite and virtual employees of Avaya’s GSS division meet all requirements to receive TRA according to the Trade Act of 1974 (19 USC 2273).  There are three criteria to qualify for TRA.  First, workers must be laid off or threatened with layoff.  Next, employer sales or production must decrease.  Finally, increased imports of products like or directly competitive with the firm’s products must contribute to layoffs or the threat of layoffs.  Once certified, TRA recipients must enroll in training, although the state can waive this requirement in certain cases.

 

The USDOL report concludes that among other groups across the country “all workers... of Avaya Inc., Global Support Services (GSS), a division of Avaya Client Services (ACS), formerly known as Avaya Global Services (AGS), also formerly known as Worldwide Services Group, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma,… and Avaya Inc., Global Support Services (GSS), a division of Avaya Client Services (ACS), formerly known as Avaya Global Services (AGS), also formerly known as Worldwide Services Group, virtual offices located in Oklahoma… who became totally or partially separated from employment on or after September 12, 2011, through May 22, 2014, and all workers in the group threatened with total or partial separation from employment on May 22, 2012, through May 22, 2014, are eligible to apply for adjustment assistance under Chapter 2 of Title II of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended.”  The report excludes Avaya, Inc. Audio/Video workers who were approved for TRA under a previous certification.  Separated employees who want to apply for TRA should contact their nearest Workforce Oklahoma Center at 1-888-980-WORK (9675).

# # #