DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-54,288

HEDSTROM CORPORATION
BALL, BOUNCE AND SPORT DIVISION
PLANT #1
ASHLAND, OHIO

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), 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 February 18, 2004 in
response to a petition filed on behalf of workers at Hedstrom
Company, Plant #1, Ashland, Ohio. Workers at the subject facility
produce vinyl juvenile playballs. The investigation determined
that the plant #1 is a part of the company's Ball, Bounce and Sport
Division.
The investigation revealed that employment at the subject
division decreased in 2003 compared to 2002.
Declines in employment at the subject division are related to
a shift in production of vinyl juvenile playballs to China.
Imports of vinyl juvenile playballs have increased during the
period under investigation.
In addition, 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:
1. Whether a significant number of workers in the workers'
firm are 50 years of age or older.
2. Whether the workers in the workers' firm possess skills
that are not easily transferable.
3. 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
investigation, I determine that there was a shift in production
from the workers' firm or subdivision to China of articles like or
directly competitive with those produced by the subject firm. In
accordance with the provisions of the Act, I make the following
certification:
"All workers of Hedstrom Company, Ball, Bounce and Sport
Division, Plant #1, Ashland, Ohio, who became totally or
partially separated from employment on or after February 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."
I further determine that all workers of Hedstrom Company,
Ball, Bounce and Sport Division, Plant #1, Ashland, Ohio, 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 8th day of March, 2004.

/s/ Linda G. Poole
______________________________
LINDA G. POOLE
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance