DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-53,767

VERMILION RUBBER TECHNOLOGY
A DIVISION OF THE FUKOKU CORPORATION
WINDOW COUPLING AND ANTI-VIBRATION DEVICE LINES
DANVILLE, ILLINOIS

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), 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)(B) of
Section 222 have been met.
The investigation was initiated on December 11, 2003 in
response to a petition filed by the Teamsters, Local 26, on behalf
of workers at Vermilion Rubber Technology, a division of the Fukoku
Corporation, Window Coupling and Anti-Vibration Device lines,
Danville, Illinois. The workers produced molded rubber automotive
parts, and are separately identifiable from others at the plant.
The investigation revealed that sales, production, and
employment at the subject divisions declined during the period of
January through October of 2003 compared to the same period in
2002.
The subject firm is shifting production of molded rubber
automotive parts to Japan, and imports are increasing.
In addition, 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 molded rubber automotive parts
produced at Vermilion Rubber Technology, a division of the Fukoku
Corporation, Window Coupling and Anti-Vibration Device lines,
Danville, Illinois contributed importantly to the total or partial
separation of workers and to the decline in sales or production and
at that firm or subdivision. In accordance with the provisions of
the Act, I make the following certification:


"All workers of Vermilion Rubber Technology, a division of the
Fukoku Corporation, Window Coupling and Anti-Vibration Device
lines, Danville, Illinois who became totally or partially
separated from employment on or after December 1, 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 20th day of January 2004.


/s/ Richard Church

_______________________________
RICHARD CHURCH
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance