DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-55,269

MERIDIAN AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS INC.
INCLUDING ON-SITE LEASED WORKER FROM ACCUFORCE STAFFING
LENOIR, NORTH CAROLINA

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 July 19, 2004 in response
to a petition filed by a company official on behalf of workers of
Meridian Automotive Supply Inc., Lenoir, North Carolina. Workers
at the subject firm produce GMT 820 and 830 step assists for the
automotive industry; workers are not separately identifiable by
product line.
The subject firm also utilized on-site leased workers from
Accuforce Staffing, Lenoir, North Carolina.
The investigation revealed that employment, sales, and
production at the subject firm declined from 2002 to 2003 and
during the period of January through June 2004.
The Department of Labor surveyed the subject firm's major
declining customer regarding its purchases of GMT 820 and 830 step
assists. This survey revealed an absolute increase in imports of
GMT 820 and 830 step assists during the period of investigation.
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 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 GMT 820 and 830 step assists
produced by Meridian Automotive Systems, Lenoir, North Carolina
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 Meridian Automotive Systems Inc., including
on-site leased workers from Accuforce Staffing, Lenoir, North
Carolina, who became totally or partially separated from
employment on or after July 16, 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 13th day of August 2004.

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