DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING ADMINISTRATION

TA-W-54,204

MISSOURI STEEL CASTINGS
INCLUDING LEASED WORKERS FROM SKILLSTAFF, EMPLOYER ADVANTAGE
AND MORESOURCE, INC.
JOPLIN, MISSOURI

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)(A) of
Section 222 have been met.
The investigation was initiated on February 9, 2004 in
response to a petition filed by General Drivers & Helpers Union,
Local 823, affiliated with the International Brotherhood of
Teamsters, Chauffeurs, Warehousemen, and Helpers of America on
behalf of workers at Missouri Steel Castings, Joplin, Missouri.
The workers of the subject firm produced steel castings; they are
not separately identifiable by product line.
The investigation revealed that production and employment at
the subject firm declined absolutely during the period under
investigation.
The investigation also revealed that the subject firm leased
some of its workers from Moresource, Inc., Skillstaff and Employer
Advantage, Joplin, Missouri.
The Department of Labor surveyed the subject firm's major
declining customers regarding their purchases of steel castings.
This survey revealed increases in imports of steel castings during
the period under investigation.
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.
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 that in the case of Missouri Steel Castings, Joplin,
Missouri, the requirements of Section 246 have been met.
A significant number of workers are age 50 or over and possess
skills that are not easily transferable within the geographical
area. 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 those produced at Missouri Steel
Castings, Joplin, Missouri contributed importantly to the total or
partial separation of workers and to the decline in sales or
production at that firm or subdivision. In accordance with the
provisions of the Act, I make the following certification:
"All workers of Missouri Steel Castings, including leased
workers from Moresource, Inc., Skillstaff, and Employer
Advantage, Joplin, Missouri, who became totally or partially
separated from employment on or after February 5, 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 26th day of March 2004.

/s/ Linda G. Poole

______________________________
LINDA G. POOLE
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance