Petitioner Type: Workers
Impact Date: 09/16/2002
Filed Date: 10/07/2003
Most Recent Update: 10/10/2003
Determination Date: 10/10/2003
Expiration Date: 10/10/2005
Employment and Training Administration
TA-W-53,159
GENERAL MILLS OPERATIONS INC.
INCLUDING LEASED WORKERS OF
MASTERSON PERSONNEL, INC.
EDEN PRAIRIE, MINNESOTA
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)(B) of
Section 222 have been met.
The investigation was initiated on October 7, 2003 in response
to a petition filed on behalf of workers at General Mills
Operations Inc., Eden Prairie, Minnesota. Workers of the subject
firm produce frozen and baked pastries. The subject firm also
leased workers from Masterson's Personnel, Inc.
The investigation revealed that employment at the subject
firm decreased from FY 2002 to FY 2003. Furthermore, the
preponderance in the declines in employment at the subject facility
is related to a shift in production of frozen and baked pastries to
a country (Canada) that is a party to a free trade agreement with
the United States.
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 possess skills that are not easily transferable. Competitive
conditions within the industry are adverse.
Conclusion
After careful review of the facts obtained in the
investigation, I determine that there was a shift in production
from the workers' firm or subdivision to Canada 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 General Mills Inc., including leased workers
of Masterson Personnel, Eden Prairie, Minnesota who became
totally or partially separated from employment on or after
September 16, 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 10th day of October 2003
/s/ Richard Church
______________________________
RICHARD CHURCH
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance