DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-55,797

HEDSTROM CORPORATION
BACKYARD AND FUN DIVISION
INCLUDING ON-SITE LEASED WORKERS FROM SPHERION CORPORATION AND
THOMAS STAFFING SERVICES
BEDFORD, 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, 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)(A) of
Section 222 have been met.
The investigation was initiated on October 14, 2004 in
response to a petition filed by a company official on behalf of
workers at Hedstrom Corporation, Backyard and Fun Division, Bedford
Pennsylvania. The workers produce children's play equipment; they
are not separately identifiable by product line.

The investigation further revealed that the subject facility
leased on-site workers from Spherion Corporation and Thomas
Staffing Services, both located in Bedford, Pennsylvania.
The investigation revealed declines in production and
employment at Hedstrom Corporation, Backyard and Fun Division,
Bedford, Pennsylvania during the period of January through
September 2004 when compared to the same period in 2003.
The investigation further revealed that the subject firm
increased its imports of children's play equipment from 2002 to
2003, and from January through September 2004 when compared to the
same period in 2003.
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 that the requirements of Section 246 have been met.
A significant number of workers at the subject facilities 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 children's play equipment
produced by Hedstrom Corporation, Backyard and Fun Division,
Bedford, Pennsylvania contributed importantly to the total or
partial separation of workers and to the declines in sales or
production at that firm. In accordance with the provisions of the
Act, I make the following certification:
In accordance with the provisions of the Act, I make the
following certification:
"All workers of Hedstrom Corporation, Backyard and Fun
Division, including on-site leased workers from Spherion
Corporation and Thomas Staffing Services, Bedford,
Pennsylvania who became totally or partially separated from
employment on or after October 13, 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 18th day of November 2004.

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