Congressman John P. Murtha (PA-12) announced today that former workers of Sony Technology Center-Pittsburgh are eligible for retraining subsidies under federal programs designed to return trade-affected workers to the work force more quickly.
All workers of Sony Technology Center-Pittsburgh, Liquid Crystal Display Television Assembly Group, Sony At Your Service Group, Pittsburgh Customer Satisfaction Center Group, and Sony Supply Chain Solutions-America Group, who became totally or partially separated from employment on or after May 18, 2008 are eligible for two years to apply for Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA).
An investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor was initiated in response to a petition filed on May 19, 2009 by a company official on behalf of Sony workers. The Department of Labor found that acquired articles from China, and a shift of services to Mexico, contributed to worker separations and therefore eligibility for TAA.
The Trade Adjustment Assistance program provides a variety of reemployment services and benefits to workers who have lost their jobs or suffered a reduction of hours and wages as a result of increased imports or shifts in production outside the United States. Services under TAA include two years of eligibility for income support, relocation and job search allowances, a health coverage tax credit and occupational training.
