DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-55,389

GERBER COBURN
INCLUDING LEASED WORKERS OF
QUALITY STAFFING, ROBERT HALF TECHNOLOGY, AND KELLY SERVICES
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA

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 August 5, 2004, in response
to a petition filed by a company official on behalf of workers of
Gerber Coburn, Muskogee, Oklahoma. The workers produce ophthalmic
lens production machinery and related finishing and surfacing
consumables. The workers are not separately identifiable by
product line.
The investigation revealed that Gerber Coburn, Muskogee,
Oklahoma, leased workers of Quality Staffing, Kelly Services, and
Robert Half Technology who were also engaged in the production of
ophthalmic lens production machinery and related finishing and
surfacing consumables at Gerber Coburn, Muskogee, Oklahoma.
The investigation also revealed that the subject firm has
experienced declines in production and employment during the
relevant time period.
The investigation further revealed that the subject firm has
increased their imports of ophthalmic lens production machinery and
finishing consumables.
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 ophthalmic lens production
machinery and finishing consumables produced at Gerber Coburn,
Muskogee, Oklahoma, 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 Gerber Coburn, Muskogee, Oklahoma, including
leased workers of Quality Staffing, Kelly Services, and Robert
Half Technology working at Gerber Coburn, Muskogee, Oklahoma,
who became totally or partially separated from employment on
or after August 4, 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 2nd day of September 2004

/s/ Elliott S. Kushner

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