DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-54,016

DONCASTERS, INC.
NEW ENGLAND AIRFOIL PRODUCTS DIVISION
FARMINGTON, CONNECTICUT


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 (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 January 15, 2004 in response to a petition filed on behalf of workers at Doncasters, Inc., New England Airfoil Products Division, Farmington, Con-necticut. The workers at the subject firm produce aerospace tur-bine components, and are not separately identifiable by product line.
The investigation revealed that sales and employment at the subject firm declined in the relevant time period.
The U.S. Department of Labor conducted a survey of major customers of Doncasters, Inc., New England Airfoil Products Division, Farmington, Connecticut, regarding their purchases of aerospace turbine components in 2001, 2002 and 2003. The survey revealed that major customers increased their reliance on imported aerospace turbine components, while decreasing purchases from the subject firm during the relevant period.
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:
Whether a significant number of workers in the workers' firm are 50 years of age or older.
Whether the workers in the workers' firm possess skills that are not easily transferable.
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 skills of the worker group are easily transferable to other positions in the local area.
Conclusion
After careful review of the facts obtained in the investi-gation, I conclude that increased imports of articles like or directly competitive with aerospace turbine components produced at Doncasters, Inc., New England Airfoil Products Division, Farmington, Connecticut, contributed importantly to the decline in sales or production and to the total or partial separation of workers of that firm. In accordance with the provisions of the Act, I make the following certification:
"All workers of Doncasters, Inc., New England Airfoil Products Division, Farmington, Connecticut, who became totally or partially separated from employment on or after January 10, 2003 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 Doncasters, Inc., New England Airfoil Products Division, Farmington, Connecticut, 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 23rd day of February, 2004.


/s/ Elliott S. Kushner

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