Petitioner Type: Union
Impact Date: 01/15/2003
Filed Date: 01/16/2004
Most Recent Update: 02/23/2004
Determination Date: 02/23/2004
Expiration Date: 02/23/2006
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Employment and Training Administration
TA-W-54,031
DEL MONTE, INC.
PLANT NO. 122
CANNED ASPARAGUS OPERATIONS
A DIVISION OF DEL MONTE FOODS, INC.
TOPPENISH, WASHINGTON
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, as amended (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 January 16, 2004, in response to a petition filed by a union official of the Teamsters, Local 760 on behalf of workers at Del Monte, Inc., Plant No. 122, canned asparagus operations, a division of Del Monte Foods, Inc., Toppenish, Washington. The workers at the subject firm produced canned asparagus.
The investigation revealed that production and employment at the subject firm declined from 2002 to 2003. Moreover, the subject production line ceased operations in June of 2003.
The investigation further revealed that company imports of canned asparagus increased during the relevant period.
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 canned asparagus produced at Del Monte, Inc., Plant No. 122, canned asparagus operations, a division of Del Monte Foods, Inc., Toppenish, Washington 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 Del Monte, Inc., Plant No. 122, Canned Asparagus Operations, a Division of Del Monte Foods, Inc., Toppenish, Washington, who became totally or partially separated from employment on or after January 15, 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 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 23rd day of February 2004.
/s/ Linda G. Poole
_______________________________
LINDA G. POOLE
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance
Employment and Training Administration
TA-W-54,031
DEL MONTE, INC.
PLANT NO. 122
CANNED ASPARAGUS OPERATIONS
A DIVISION OF DEL MONTE FOODS, INC.
TOPPENISH, WASHINGTON
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, as amended (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 January 16, 2004, in response to a petition filed by a union official of the Teamsters, Local 760 on behalf of workers at Del Monte, Inc., Plant No. 122, canned asparagus operations, a division of Del Monte Foods, Inc., Toppenish, Washington. The workers at the subject firm produced canned asparagus.
The investigation revealed that production and employment at the subject firm declined from 2002 to 2003. Moreover, the subject production line ceased operations in June of 2003.
The investigation further revealed that company imports of canned asparagus increased during the relevant period.
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 canned asparagus produced at Del Monte, Inc., Plant No. 122, canned asparagus operations, a division of Del Monte Foods, Inc., Toppenish, Washington 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 Del Monte, Inc., Plant No. 122, Canned Asparagus Operations, a Division of Del Monte Foods, Inc., Toppenish, Washington, who became totally or partially separated from employment on or after January 15, 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 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 23rd day of February 2004.
/s/ Linda G. Poole
_______________________________
LINDA G. POOLE
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance