DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-52,840

MERIT ABRASIVE PRODUCTS
BROOKLINE OHIO DIVISION
BROOKLINE, OHIO

Certification Regarding Eligibility
To Apply For Worker Adjustment Assistance and
Negative Determination Regarding Eligibility To Apply For
Alternative Trade 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.
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)(B) of Section 222 have been
met.
The investigation was initiated on September 12, 2003
in response to a petition filed by a company official on
behalf of workers of Merit Abrasive Products, Brookline
Ohio Division, Brookline, Ohio. The workers produce
specialty abrasive products.
The investigation revealed that employment declined
from January through August 2003 when compared to the same
period in 2002.
The preponderance in the declines in employment at the
subject firm is related to a shift in plant production of
abrasive products to a country (Mexico) that is a party to
a free trade agreement with the United States.
In addition, in accordance with Section 246 the Trade
Act of 1974 (26 USC 2813), as amended, the Department of
Labor herein presents the results of its investigation
regarding certification of eligibility to apply for
alternative trade adjustment assistance (ATAA) for older
workers.
The group eligibility criteria for the ATAA program

the Department must consider under Section 246 of the

Trade Act are:
1. Whether a significant number of workers in the
workers' firm are 50 years of age or older.
2. Whether the workers in the workers' firm possess
skills that are not easily transferable.
3. The competitive conditions within the workers'
industry (i.e., conditions within the industry
are adverse).
The Department has determined that criterion (2) has
not been met.
The investigation revealed that the workers in the
workers' firm possess skills that are easily transferable.
Conclusion
After careful review of the facts obtained in the
investigation, I conclude that there was a shift in
production from the workers' firm or subdivision to Mexico
of articles that are like or directly competitive with
those produced by the subject firm or subdivision. In
accordance with the provisions of the Act, I make the
following certification:
"All workers of Merit Abrasive Products, Brookline
Ohio Division, Brookline, Ohio, who became totally or
partially separated from employment on or after August
18, 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;" and


I further determine that all workers of Merit Abrasive
Products, Brookline Ohio Division, Brookline, Ohio are
denied eligibility to apply for alternative trade adjust-
ment assistance under Section 246 of the Trade Act of
1974."
Signed in Washington, D.C. this 10th day of October 2003

/s/ Richard Church
_____________________________
RICHARD CHURCH
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance