DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-54,719

SHAFER ELECTRONICS CO.
PINE CITY, MINNESOTA

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), 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 April 14, 2004, in
response to a petition filed by a state workforce agent on
behalf of the workers at Shafer Electronics Co., Pine City,
Minnesota. The workers produced electronic assemblies. The
workers are not separately identifiable by product line.
The investigation revealed that sales, production and
employment at the subject firm declined from 2002 to 2003.
The Department of Labor surveyed the subject firm's major
customers regarding their purchases of electronic assemblies.
This survey revealed increases in customer imports of electronic
assemblies during the relevant time 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.
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 those produced at Shafer
Electronics Co. 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 Shafer Electronics Co., Pine City,
Minnesota who became totally or partially separated from
employment on or after April 12, 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 at Washington, D.C., this 3rd day of June, 2004.

/s/ Linda G. Poole

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