DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-53,206

GE INDUSTRIAL SYSTEMS
SHREVEPORT, LOUISIANA

TA-W-53,206A

GE INDUSTRIAL SYSTEMS
CONOVER, NORTH CAROLINA

Certification Regarding Eligibility
to Apply For Worker Adjustment Assistance and
Determinations 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 October 10, 2003, in
response to a petition filed by a company official on behalf of
workers of GE Industrial Systems, Shreveport, Louisiana (TA-W-
53,206) and GE Industrial Systems, Conover, North Carolina (TA-W-
53,206A). Workers at the Shreveport facility (TA-W-53,206) produce
transformers. Workers at the Conover, North Carolina facility

(TA-W-53,206A) provide administrative and marketing services in
support of the production of transformers at the Shreveport plant.
The investigation revealed that employment at GE Industrial
Systems, Shreveport, Louisiana (TA-W-53,206), declined from 2001 to
2002, and during the period of January through September 2003.
Employment declined at GE Industrial Systems, Conover, North
Carolina (TA-W-53,206A), in January through September 2003 when
compared to the same time period of the previous year.
The investigation further revealed that the preponderance in
the declines in employment is related to a shift in production of
transformers from GE Industrial Systems, Shreveport, Louisiana, to
a country (Mexico) that is a party to a free trade agreement with
the United States.
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 that 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 in the case of the GE Industrial
Systems, Shreveport facility (TA-W-53,206) that the requirements of
Section 246 have been met.
A significant number of workers at the division are age 50 or
over and possess skills that are not easily transferable.
Competitive conditions within the industry are adverse.
The Department has further determined with respect to workers
at GE Industrial Systems, Conover facility (TA-W-53,206A) that the
requirement (2) of Section 246 has not been met.
The investigation revealed that the skills of the worker group
are easily transferable to other positions in the local area.
Conclusion


After careful review of the facts obtained in the
investigation, I determine that there was a shift in production
from at GE Industrial Systems, Shreveport, Louisiana to Mexico of
articles like or directly competitive with the transformers
produced at that firm or subdivision.
In accordance with the provisions of the Act, I make the
following certification:
"All workers of GE Industrial Systems, Shreveport, Louisiana
(TA-W-53,206) who became totally or partially separated from
employment on or after October 9, 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;" and


"I further determine that all workers of GE Industrial
Systems, Conover, North Carolina (TA-W-53,206A), who became
totally or partially separated from employment on or after
October 9, 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 denied
eligibility to apply alternative trade adjustment assistance
under Section 246 of the Trade Act of 1974."

Signed in Washington, D.C. this 18th day of November 2003.

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