Local News

from U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand’s Office

U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and U.S. Congressman Chris Gibson (NY-19) announced Wednesday that the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has approved a much needed Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) certification for laid off workers at Oak-Mitsui Technologies in Hoosick Falls. Former employees will now be able to apply for critical TAA benefits.

“This trade adjustment assistance will help ease the burden for our laid-off Oak-Mitsui workers as they look for new jobs,” said Senator Gillibrand. “While we work with local officials to attract new private sector jobs to the area, we must also ensure that workers who have lost their jobs through no fault of their own have the support and resources they need to get back on their feet and secure good jobs.”

“This is a small piece of good news for hard working people who have been through a lot this year and are facing a difficult beginning to the New Year,” said Congressman Gibson. “We will continue our advocacy for these families and for this community as we seek new opportunities for workforce development and employment in northeastern Rensselaer County.”

Earlier this month, Senator Gillibrand and Congressman Gibson wrote U.S. Labor Secretary Thomas Perez urging him to support the TAA petition filed on behalf of the 29 Oak-Mitsui Technologies workers who were notified in November that they would be laid off. Oak-Mitsui Technologies has played an important role in the Hoosick Falls area for over 40 years, and with the recent announcement that the company would be closing its local plant in February, workers will now be able to apply for TAA benefits following the approval of this petition.

TAA is a federal program established under the Trade Act of 1974. Workers whose employment is adversely affected by increased imports and shifts in production outside the U.S. may apply for TAA, which provides a range of benefits and reemployment services, such as:

• Training for Employment in another Job or Career. Workers are eligible for training in occupational skills, basic or remedial education, or training in literacy or English as a second language. Workers may also receive employment services such as case management, skills assessment, and job search assistance.

• Income Support. Workers can receive weekly cash payments called trade readjustment allowances (TRA) after a worker’s unemployment compensation benefit is exhausted and during the period in which a worker is participating in an approved full-time training program.

• Job Search Allowance. Workers can get reimbursed for expenses incurred in seeking employment outside their normal commuting area.

• Relocation Allowances. Workers can receive reimbursement for approved expenses if they are successful in obtaining employment outside their normal commuting area and they need to relocate.