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

EX-EMPLOYEES AT CINCH CONNECTORS IN VINITA APPROVED FOR TRADE BENEFITS

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

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK  (December 12, 2012) – Former workers of Cinch Connectors, Inc. in Vinita 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 laid-off Cinch Connectors staff 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 “all workers of Cinch Connectors, Inc., a subsidiary of Belfuse, Inc., including on-site leased workers from Express Personnel Services, Inc. and Penmac Personnel Services, Vinita, Oklahoma, who became totally or partially separated from employment on or after October 29, 2011, through November 16, 2014, and all workers in the group threatened with total or partial separation from employment on November 16, 2012, through November 16, 2014, are eligible to apply for adjustment assistance under Chapter 2 of Title II of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended.”  Separated employees who want to apply for TRA should contact their nearest Workforce Oklahoma Center at 1-888-980-WORK (9675).

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