DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-54,334

SIMONDS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
FILE DIVISION
NEWCOMERSTOWN, OHIO

Certification Regarding Eligibility to Apply for
Alternative Trade Adjustment Assistance

The Department adopted a new interpretation regarding the
Alternative Trade Adjustment Assistance (ATAA) program in order to
provide equitable access to ATAA for worker groups whose petitions
were still in process at the time of implementation of the ATAA
program on August 6, 2003. Under this new interpretation, worker
groups covered by the certification of a petition that was in
process on August 6, 2003 may request ATAA consideration for the
certified worker group. In addition, certified worker groups who
filed petitions after that date may also request ATAA if the
petition did not include an option to apply for ATAA. The request
must be made to the Department and may be made by anyone who was
entitled to file the original petition under section 221(a)(1) of
the Act.
By letter dated November 9, 2004, a state agency
representative, requested ATAA consideration for workers at the
subject firm located in Newcomerstown, Ohio. By letter dated
December 17, 2004, the Department received another request for ATAA
consideration for the worker group from the company official.
In order for the Department to issue a certification of
eligibility to apply for ATAA, the group eligibility requirements
of Section 246(a)(3)(A) of the Trade Act must be met. The
Department has determined in this case that the requirements have
been met.
The investigation revealed that the subject worker group
possesses skills that are not easily transferable in the local
area, and that at least five percent of the workforce at the
subject firm is at least fifty years of age. Industry data show
that competitive conditions within the hand and edge tools industry
are adverse.
Conclusion
After careful review of the facts obtained on investigation, I
conclude that the requirements of Section 246(a)(3)(A) of the Trade
Act of 1974, as amended, have been met for workers at the subject
firm.
In accordance with the provisions of the Act, I make the
following certification:



"All workers of Simonds International Corporation, File
Division, Newcomerstown, Ohio who became totally or partially
separated from employment on or after February 13, 2003
through March 30, 2006 are eligible to apply for alternative
trade adjustment assistance under Section 246 of the Trade Act
of 1974, as amended.”
Signed in Washington, D.C., this 9th day of March 2005


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


DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-54,334

SIMONDS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
FILE DIVISION
NEWCOMERSTOWN, OHIO

Certification Regarding Eligibility
To Apply for Worker Adjustment Assistance and

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 February 23, 2004 in
response to a petition filed by workers and the United Steelworkers
of America, Local 2737-16, on behalf of workers of Simonds
International Corporation, File Division, Newcomerstown, Ohio. The
workers produced hand files for sharpening cutting tools.
The investigation revealed that production and employment
declined at the subject firm from 2002 to 2003, and also declined
in January through February 2004 compared to the same period of
2003.
The investigation also revealed that company imports of hand
files for sharpening cutting tools increased from 2002 to 2003 and
also increased in January through February 2004 compared to 2003.
Conclusion
After careful review of the facts obtained in the
investigation, I determine that increases of imports of articles
like or directly competitive with hand files for sharpening cutting
metals produced at Simonds International Corporation, File
Division, Newcomerstown, Ohio 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 Simonds International Corporation, File
Division, Newcomerstown, Ohio who became totally or partially
separated from employment on or after February 13, 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.”
Signed in Washington, D. C., this 30th day of March 2004.

/s/ Richard Church
______________________________
RICHARD CHURCH
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance

May want to list the specific citation to the group eligibility requirements.
May want to list the specific citation to the group eligibility requirements.