DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-51,154

PROGRESS CASTING GROUP, INC.
ALBERT LEA, MINNESSOTA

TA-W-51,154A

PROGRESS CASTING GROUP, INC.
PLYMOUTH, MINNESSOTA

Certification Regarding Eligibility
To Apply for Worker Adjustment Assistance

In accordance with Section 223 of the Trade Act of 1974, as
amended (19 USC 2273), the Department of Labor herein presents the
results of an investigation regarding certification of eligibility
to apply for worker adjustment assistance. The group eligibility
requirements for directly-impacted (primary) workers under Section
222(a) the Trade Act of 1974, as amended, can be satisfied in
either of two ways:
I. Section (a)(2)(A) all of the following must be satisfied:
A. a significant number or proportion of the workers in
such workers' firm, or an appropriate subdivision of
the firm, have become totally or partially separated,
or are threatened to become totally or partially
separated;
B. the sales or production, or both, of such firm or
subdivision have decreased absolutely; and
C. increased imports of articles like or directly
competitive with articles produced by such firm or
subdivision have contributed importantly to such workers'
separation or threat of separation and to the decline in
sales or production of such firm or subdivision; or

II. Section (a)(2)(B) both of the following must be satisfied:

A. a significant number or proportion of the workers in
such workers' firm, or an appropriate subdivision of
the firm, have become totally or partially separated,
or are threatened to become totally or partially
separated;
B. there has been a shift in production by such workers'
firm or subdivision to a foreign country of articles like
or directly competitive with articles which are produced
by such firm or subdivision; and

C. One of the following must be satisfied:
1. the country to which the workers' firm has shifted
production of the articles is a party to a free trade
agreement with the United States;
2. the country to which the workers' firm has shifted
production of the articles is a beneficiary country
under the Andean Trade Preference Act, African Growth
and Opportunity Act, or the Caribbean Basin Economic
Recovery Act; or
3. there has been or is likely to be an increase in
imports of articles that are like or directly
competitive with articles which are or were produced by
such firm or subdivision.

The investigation was initiated on March 14, 2003 in response
to a petition filed by a State Agency on behalf of workers at
Progress Castings Group, Inc., Albert Lea (TA-W-51,154), and
Plymouth (TA-W-51,154A), Minnesota. Workers at the Albert Lea
facility and workers at the Plymouth facility are engaged in the
production of metal castings.
It is determined in this case that the requirements of
(a)(2)(A) of Section 222 have been met for Progress Casting Group,
Inc., Albert Lea, Minnesota (TA-W-51,154).
The investigation revealed that production and employment at
the subject firm declined absolutely from 2001 to 2002.
The Department of Labor surveyed the subject firm's major
customers regarding their purchases of metal castings. This survey
revealed increases in imports of metal castings during the relevant
period.
However, the investigation revealed that criteria (a)(2)(A)
(I.A) and (a)(2)(B)(II.A) were not met for Progress Casting Group,
Inc., Plymouth, Minnesota (TA-W-51,154A).
The investigation revealed no decline in employment at
Progress Casting Group, Plymouth, Minnesota (TA-W-51,154A) during
the relevant period.
Conclusion
After careful review of the facts obtained in the
investigation, I conclude that increases of imports of articles
like or directly competitive with metal castings produced at
Progress Castings Group, Inc., Albert Lea, Minnesota (TA-W-51,154)
contributed importantly to the total or partial separation of
workers and to the decline in sales or production at that firm or
subdivision. In accordance with the provisions of the Act, I make
the following certification:
"All workers of Progress Castings Group, Inc., Albert Lea,
Minnesota (TA-W-51,154) who became totally or partially
separated from employment on or after March 7, 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."
Furthermore, after careful review, I determine that all workers of
Progress Casting Group, Inc., Plymouth, Minnesota (TA-W-51,154A)
are denied eligibility to apply for adjustment assistance under
Section 223 of the Trade Act of 1974.
Signed in Washington, D. C. this 23rd day of April, 2003


/s/Linda G. Poole
_______________________________
LINDA G. POOLE
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance