FORMER LOCKHEED MARTIN EMPLOYEES RECEIVE TRADE READJUSTMENT ASSISTANCE

Expired Benefits Returned to Tulsa Employees Under Trade Act of 1974

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – The Oklahoma Employment Security Commission announced today that displaced workers from the Tulsa facility of Lockheed Martin Postal Technologies, Inc. are eligible to receive financial help. The U.S. Department of Labor has ruled that former employees of the Tulsa, OK company meet requirements to receive trade adjustment assistance according to the Trade Act of 1974 (19 USC 2273) as amended by the Omnibus Trade and Competitiveness Act of 1988 (P.L. 100-418). Under Section 223 of the legislation, workers qualify for adjustment assistance if three criteria are met: 1) workers must be laid off or threatened with layoff; 2) sales or production must have decreased; and 3) increases in imports of products like or directly competitive with products made by the firm must contribute to layoffs or the threat of layoffs. Trade adjustment assistance is available to individuals who become unemployed as a result of increased imports or a shift in production. The goal is to help laid off workers return to suitable employment as quickly as possible.

The report concludes that “all workers of Lockheed Martin Postal Technologies, Inc., Tulsa, Oklahoma, who became totally or partially separated from employment on or after January 6, 2002, through two years from the date of certification, are eligible to apply for adjustment assistance…” The first day of eligibility for the assistance is November 16, 2002. Separated employees who would like to take advantage of this assistance should contact their nearest Workforce Oklahoma Local Office at 1-888-840-WORK (9675).

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