DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-53,240

FRIEDRICH AIR CONDITIONING COMPANY
SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS


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), as amended, 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 14, 2003 in
response to a petition filed by a company official on behalf of
workers at Friedrich Air Conditioning Company, San Antonio, Texas.
The workers at the subject firm produced room air conditioners.
The investigation revealed that production and employment at
the subject firm decreased during the period of January though
September of 2003 when compared to the same time period in 2002.
The investigation further revealed that the subject firm
increased their imports of room air conditioners during the
relevant period.
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.
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 subject 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 conclude that increases of imports of room air
conditioners produced at Friedrich Air Conditioning Company, San
Antonio, Texas contributed importantly to the total or partial
separation of workers and to the decline in sales or production at
that firm or subdivision. In accordance with the provisions of the
Act, I make the following certification:

"All workers of Friedrich Air Conditioning Company, San
Antonio, Texas, who became totally or partially separated from
employment on or after September 30, 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 30th day of October, 2003.

/s/ Elliott S. Kushner
______________________________
ELLIOTT S. KUSHNER
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance