DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-55,024

SPRINGFIELD PLASTICS, INC.
INCLUDING LEASED WORKERS OF CAREER CONCEPTS
EAST SPRINGFIELD, PENNSYLVANIA

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 June 4, 2004 in response to
a petition filed by a company official on behalf of workers of
Springfield Plastics, Inc., East Springfield, Pennsylvania.
Workers at the subject firm produced toys and toy components;
workers are not separately identifiable by product line.
The subject firm also leased some workers from Career
Concepts, Erie, Pennsylvania.
The investigation revealed that sales, production, and
employment at the subject firm declined from January through May
2004 when compared to the same time period of 2003.
The Department of Labor surveyed the subject firm's major
declining customer regarding their purchases of toys and toy
components. This survey revealed increased imports of toys and toy
components from 2002 to 2003 as well as during the period of
January through May 2004 when compared to the same period in 2003.
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 facility are age 50 or
over and do not possess skills that are 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 toys and toy components produced
by Springfield Plastics, Inc., East Springfield, Pennsylvania,
contributed importantly to the total or partial separation of
workers and to the decline in sales or production and at that
facility or subdivision. In accordance with the provisions of the
Act, I make the following certification:
"All workers of Springfield Plastics, Inc., including leased
workers of Career Concepts, East Springfield, Pennsylvania who
became totally or partially separated from employment on or
after May 27, 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 28th day of June 2004.

/s/ Linda G. Poole


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