Petitioner Type: Workers
Impact Date: 11/04/2002
Filed Date: 11/04/2003
Most Recent Update: 11/17/2003
Determination Date: 11/17/2003
Expiration Date: 11/17/2005
Findings of the Investigation
BUSINESS CONFIDENTIAL
TA-W-53,420
SURGICAL SPECIALTIES CORPORATION
ADA, OKLAHOMA
Determination and Basis
Shift in production to a country with a free trade
agreement/beneficiary (CT-4)
Previous Determination: term (TA-W-52,830)
Number of Workers Affected: 483
Total Number of Workers: 783
Petitioner: workers
Product: sutures
SIC: 3842
DETERMINATION DATES:
Institution Date: 11/04/2003
Petition Date: 11/04/2003
Impact Date: 11/04/2002
File: S:/ONR/OADWTAAR/DTAA/WPDOCS/CASE/53420
Investigator: Nick Adamopoulos
Supporting Evidence
Surgical Specialties Corporation, Ada, Oklahoma is the subject of
this investigation. Workers at the subject facility produce
sutures.
From January through October 2003 compared to the same period in
2002, production at the subject firm decreased by 4 percent.
Furthermore, the subject firm shut down on or before December 31,
2003.
Approximately 483 workers are expected to be separated during the
relevant period, during the shut down at the subject firm on or
before December 31, 2003.
As of 2001, Surgical Specialties began shifting its production of
sutures to Puerto Rico, Mexico, China, and Reading, PA. By
December 31, 2003 the production shift will be complete and the
subject facility in Ada, OK will cease production. The production
that takes place in Mexico accounts for over 10 percent of its
production, and will increase when the subject firm ceases
production on or before December 31, 2003.
The company will not import the sutures from Puerto Rico, Mexico,
or China after the shift.
ATAA
According to the company official, there is more than 5 percent of
the workforce that is over the age of 50, the workers possess
skills that are not easily transferable, and medical equipment and
supply manufacturing jobs have decreased in the U.S. from 2001 to
2002.
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Employment and Training Administration
TA-W-53,420
SURGICAL SPECIALTIES CORPORATION
ADA, OKLAHOMA
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 November 4, 2003 in
response to a petition filed on behalf of workers at Surgical
Specialties Corporation, Ada, Oklahoma. The workers at the subject
facility produce sutures.
The preponderance in the declines in employment at the subject
facility is related to a shift in facility production of sutures 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.
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 conclude that there was a shift in production from
the workers’ firm or subdivision to Mexico 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 Surgical Specialties Corporation, Ada,
Oklahoma who became totally or partially separated from
employment on or after November 4, 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 17th day of November, 2003.
/s/ Linda G. Poole
______________________________
LINDA G. POOLE
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance
BUSINESS CONFIDENTIAL
TA-W-53,420
SURGICAL SPECIALTIES CORPORATION
ADA, OKLAHOMA
Determination and Basis
Shift in production to a country with a free trade
agreement/beneficiary (CT-4)
Previous Determination: term (TA-W-52,830)
Number of Workers Affected: 483
Total Number of Workers: 783
Petitioner: workers
Product: sutures
SIC: 3842
DETERMINATION DATES:
Institution Date: 11/04/2003
Petition Date: 11/04/2003
Impact Date: 11/04/2002
File: S:/ONR/OADWTAAR/DTAA/WPDOCS/CASE/53420
Investigator: Nick Adamopoulos
Supporting Evidence
Surgical Specialties Corporation, Ada, Oklahoma is the subject of
this investigation. Workers at the subject facility produce
sutures.
From January through October 2003 compared to the same period in
2002, production at the subject firm decreased by 4 percent.
Furthermore, the subject firm shut down on or before December 31,
2003.
Approximately 483 workers are expected to be separated during the
relevant period, during the shut down at the subject firm on or
before December 31, 2003.
As of 2001, Surgical Specialties began shifting its production of
sutures to Puerto Rico, Mexico, China, and Reading, PA. By
December 31, 2003 the production shift will be complete and the
subject facility in Ada, OK will cease production. The production
that takes place in Mexico accounts for over 10 percent of its
production, and will increase when the subject firm ceases
production on or before December 31, 2003.
The company will not import the sutures from Puerto Rico, Mexico,
or China after the shift.
ATAA
According to the company official, there is more than 5 percent of
the workforce that is over the age of 50, the workers possess
skills that are not easily transferable, and medical equipment and
supply manufacturing jobs have decreased in the U.S. from 2001 to
2002.
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Employment and Training Administration
TA-W-53,420
SURGICAL SPECIALTIES CORPORATION
ADA, OKLAHOMA
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 November 4, 2003 in
response to a petition filed on behalf of workers at Surgical
Specialties Corporation, Ada, Oklahoma. The workers at the subject
facility produce sutures.
The preponderance in the declines in employment at the subject
facility is related to a shift in facility production of sutures 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.
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 conclude that there was a shift in production from
the workers’ firm or subdivision to Mexico 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 Surgical Specialties Corporation, Ada,
Oklahoma who became totally or partially separated from
employment on or after November 4, 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 17th day of November, 2003.
/s/ Linda G. Poole
______________________________
LINDA G. POOLE
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance