Petitioner Type: Workers
Impact Date: 12/08/2002
Filed Date: 12/10/2003
Most Recent Update: 12/12/2003
Determination Date: 12/12/2003
Expiration Date: 12/12/2005
Department of Labor
Employment and Training Administration
TA-W-53,758
STANDARD MOTOR COMPANY
ARGOS ASSEMBLIES PLANT
ARGOS, INDIANA
Certification Regarding Eligibility
To Apply for Worker Adjustment Assistance
And Negative Determination 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 December 10, 2003 in response to a petition filed by workers at Standard Motor Products, Argos Assemblies Plant, Argos, Indiana. The workers at the subject firm produce spark plug wire sets; they are not separately identifiable.
The investigation revealed that employment at the subject firm declined in 2002 in comparison with 2001, and will decline again in January 2004 due to closure of the facility.
Furthermore, the subject firm shifted production of spark plug wire sets to a country (Mexico) that is party to a free trade agreement with the United States during the relevant period.
In addition, 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 that criterion 2 has not been met. The investigation revealed that the workers at the subject firm possess skills that are easily transferable.
Conclusion
After careful review of the facts obtained in the investigation, I determine 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 Standard Motor Products, Argos Assemblies Plant, Argos, Indiana who became totally or partially separated from employment on or after December 8, 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
I further determine that all workers of Standard Motor Products, Argos Assemblies Plant, Argos, Indiana are denied eligibility to apply for alternative trade adjustment assistance under Section 246 of the Trade Act of 1974.
Signed in Washington, D.C. this 12th day of December 2003.
/s/ Linda G. Poole
______________________________
LINDA G. POOLE
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance
Employment and Training Administration
TA-W-53,758
STANDARD MOTOR COMPANY
ARGOS ASSEMBLIES PLANT
ARGOS, INDIANA
Certification Regarding Eligibility
To Apply for Worker Adjustment Assistance
And Negative Determination 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 December 10, 2003 in response to a petition filed by workers at Standard Motor Products, Argos Assemblies Plant, Argos, Indiana. The workers at the subject firm produce spark plug wire sets; they are not separately identifiable.
The investigation revealed that employment at the subject firm declined in 2002 in comparison with 2001, and will decline again in January 2004 due to closure of the facility.
Furthermore, the subject firm shifted production of spark plug wire sets to a country (Mexico) that is party to a free trade agreement with the United States during the relevant period.
In addition, 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 that criterion 2 has not been met. The investigation revealed that the workers at the subject firm possess skills that are easily transferable.
Conclusion
After careful review of the facts obtained in the investigation, I determine 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 Standard Motor Products, Argos Assemblies Plant, Argos, Indiana who became totally or partially separated from employment on or after December 8, 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
I further determine that all workers of Standard Motor Products, Argos Assemblies Plant, Argos, Indiana are denied eligibility to apply for alternative trade adjustment assistance under Section 246 of the Trade Act of 1974.
Signed in Washington, D.C. this 12th day of December 2003.
/s/ Linda G. Poole
______________________________
LINDA G. POOLE
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance