DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-53,645

ROBERT BOSCH TOOL CORPORATION
WALNUT RIDGE, ARKANSAS

Certification Regarding Eligibility
To Apply for Worker Adjustment Assistance and
Alternative 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 November 26, 2003, in response to a petition filed by a state workforce agency representative on behalf of workers at Robert Bosch Tool Corporation, Walnut Ridge, Arkansas. The workers at the subject firm produce power tools.
The investigation revealed that sales and employment at the subject firm declined from 2001 to 2002 and again during the period of January through November of 2003 compared to the same period in 2002.
The Department of Labor surveyed the subject firm’s major declining customers regarding their purchases of power tools. The survey revealed increased imports of power tools by the subject firm’s major customer during the period under investigation.
In addition, in accordance with Section 246 of 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 determine that increases of imports of articles like or directly competitive with power tools produced at the subject firm 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 Robert Bosch Tool Corporation, Walnut Ridge, Arkansas who became totally or partially separated from employment on or after November 24, 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 13th day of January, 2004.

/s/ Elliott G. Kushner

______________________________
ELLIOTT S. KUSHNER
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance