DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-51,152

ASCO VALVE MANUFACTURING
FORT MILL, SOUTH CAROLINA

Certification Regarding Eligibility
To Apply for Worker Adjustment Assistance

In accordance with Section 223 of the Trade Act of 1974 (19
USC 2273), as amended, the Department of Labor herein presents
the results of its investigation regarding certification of
eligibility to apply for worker adjustment assistance.
In order to make an affirmative determination and issue a
certification of eligibility to apply for Trade Adjustment
Assistance, the group eligibility requirements in either
paragraph (a)(2)(A) or (a)(2)(B) of Section 222 of the Trade Act
must be met. It is determined in this case that the requirements
of (a)(2)(A) of Section 222 have been met.
The investigation was initiated in response to a petition
received on March 14, 2003 and filed on behalf of workers at Asco
Valve Manufacturing, Fort Mill, South Carolina. The workers
produced fluid power products.
The investigation revealed that subject plant sales,
production and employment declined during the relevant period.
The Department of Labor conducted a survey of the subject
firm's major declining customers regarding their purchases of
fluid power products during 2001, 2002 and January through March
2003 over the corresponding 2002 period. The survey revealed
that major customers increased their purchases of imported rigid
fluid power products during the relevant period.
Conclusion
After careful review of the facts obtained in the
investigation, I determine that increases of imports of articles
like or directly competitive with fluid power products produced
at Asco Valve Manufacturing, Fort Mill, South Carolina
contributed importantly to the total or partial separation of
workers and to the decline in sales or production and at that
firm or subdivision. In accordance with the provisions of the
Act, I make the following certification:
"All workers of Asco Valve Manufacturing, Fort Mill, South
Carolina who became totally or partially separated from
employment on or after March 1, 2002 through two years from
the date of certification are eligible to apply for
adjustment assistance under Section 223 of the Trade Act of
1974, as amended."
Signed in Washington, D. C. this 15th day of May, 2003.


/s/ Elliott S. Kushner
______________________________
ELLIOTT S. KUSHNER
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance