DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-53,827

BRIDGESTONE/FIRESTONE OFF-ROAD TIRES
BLOOMINGTON, 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), 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 December 18, 2003 in
response to a petition filed by the United Steelworkers of America,
AFL-CIO/CLC, Local 787L, on behalf of workers at
Bridgestone/Firestone, Bloomington, Illinois. The workers produced
off-road tires.
Sales, production and employment declined during the relevant
period.
The investigation revealed that the subject firm increased
their reliance on imported off-road tires during the relevant
period.
The subject firm was previously certified for trade adjustment
assistance (TA-W-39,214). That certification expired on September
10, 2003.
The petitioner also requested consideration for Alternative
Trade Adjustment Assistance (ATAA).
In order to issue a certification of eligibility to apply for
ATAA for older workers, the group eligibility requirements of
Section 246(a)(3)(A)(ii) of the Trade Act must be met. The
Department has determined in this case that the requirements 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 increases of imports of articles
like or directly competitive with products produced by
Bridgestone/Firestone, Bloomington, 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 Bridgestone/Firestone, Bloomington, Illinois,
who became totally or partially separated from employment on
or after September 11, 2003 through two years from the date of
certification are eligible to apply for adjustment assistance
under Section 223, and alternative trade adjustment assistance
under Section 246 of the Trade Act of 1974."
Signed in Washington, D. C. this 28th day of January 2004.

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