DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-55,268

TAKANE U.S.A., INC.
TORRANCE, CALIFORNIA

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, as
amended (19 USC 2273), the Department of Labor herein presents the
results of an 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 July 16, 2004 in response
to a petition filed by a state workforce agency representative on
behalf of workers at Takane U.S.A., Inc., Torrance, California.
The workers at the subject firm produce quartz clocks.
The investigation revealed that employment at the subject firm
declined from 2002 to 2003 and again during the period from January
through June 2004 compared to the same period in 2003.
The preponderance in the declines in employment at the subject
facility is related to a shift in production of quartz clocks to a
country (Mexico) that is a party to a free trade agreement with the
United States.
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.





Conclusion
After careful review of the facts obtained in the
investigation, I conclude that there was a shift in production from
the workers' firm or subdivision to Mexico of articles that are
like or directly competitive with those produced by the subject
firm or subdivision. In accordance with the provisions of the Act,
I make the following certification:
"All workers of Takane, U.S.A., Inc., Torrance, California who
became totally or partially separated from employment on or
after July 14, 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 Takane U.S.A., Inc.,
Torrance, California are denied eligibility for Alternative
Trade Adjustment Assistance under Section 246 of the Trade Act
of 1974."
Signed in Washington, D.C. this 3rd day of August 2004.


/s/ Elliott S. Kushner

______________________________
ELLIOTT S. KUSHNER
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance