DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-52,925

SKF USA, INC.
ALTOONA DIVISION
ALTOONA, PENNSYLVANIA

Certification Regarding Eligibility
To Apply for Worker Adjustment Assistance and
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)(A) of Section 222 have been met.
The investigation was initiated on September 23, 2003, in
response to a petition filed by a company official on behalf of
workers of SKF USA, Inc., Altoona Division, Altoona,
Pennsylvania. The workers produce spherical plain and ball
bearings.
The investigation revealed that employment and production
at the subject firm declined from 2001 to 2002 and also declined
from January through August 2003 when compared to the same time
period in 2002.
Moreover, company imports of spherical plain and ball
bearings increased relative to production during the relevant
time period.
In addition, in order for the Department to issue a
certification of eligibility to apply for ATAA, the group
eligibility requirements of Section 246 of the Trade Act must be
met. The Department has determined in this case that the
requirements of Section 246 have been met.
A significant number of workers at the firm are age 50 or
over and do not possess skills that are easily transferable.
Competitive conditions within the industry are adverse.








Conclusion
After careful review of the facts obtained in the
investigation, I conclude that increases in imports of articles
like or directly competitive with those produced by the subject
firm or subdivision contributed importantly to the decline in
sales or production and employment at that firm.
In accordance with the provisions of the Act, I make the
following certification:
"All workers of SKF USA, Inc., Altoona Division, Altoona,
Pennsylvania who became totally or partially separated from
employment on or after September 11, 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 are also eligible to apply for alternative trade
adjustment assistance under Section 246 of the Trade Act of
1974."
Signed in Washington, D.C. this 3rd day of November 2003


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