DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-53,167

WIRCO CASTINGS, INC.
I NCLUDING LEASED WORKERS FROM PROFESSIONAL STAFFING, INC.
NEW ATHENS, ILLINOIS

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 (19
USC 2273), 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 on October 8, 2003 in response
to a petition filed by a company official on behalf of the workers
of Wirco Castings, Inc., New Athens, Illinois. Workers at the
subject facility produced grey iron castings.
The investigation revealed that sales, production, and
employment at the subject facility declined absolutely when the
subject facility ceased production on June 30, 2003.

The investigation also revealed that the subject facility
leased some of its production workers from Professional Staffing,
Inc., New Athens, Illinois.
The investigation revealed that the subject facility did not
import grey iron castings or shift production of grey iron castings
to a foreign country during the relevant period.
The Department of Labor surveyed the subject facility's major
declining customers regarding their purchases of grey iron
castings. This survey revealed increases in imports during the
period of January through September 2003.
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 facility 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 increases of imports of articles
like or directly competitive with grey iron castings produced at
Wirco Castings, Inc., New Athens, Illinois, 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 Wirco Castings, Inc., New Athens, Illinois,
and leased workers of Professional Services producing grey
iron castings at Wirco Castings, Inc., New Athens, Illinois,
who became totally or partially separated from employment on
or after October 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, 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 14th day of November 2003.
/s/ Linda G. Poole

______________________________
LINDA G. POOLE
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance