Petitioner Type: Union
Impact Date: 10/12/2003
Filed Date: 10/15/2004
Most Recent Update: 11/23/2004
Determination Date: 11/23/2004
Expiration Date: 11/23/2006
Employment and Training Administration
TA-W-55,808
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
ST. LOUIS ASSEMBLY PLANT
HAZELWOOD, MISSOURI
Certification Regarding Eligibility
To Apply for Worker Adjustment Assistance and
to Apply for 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 October 15, 2004, in
response to a petition filed by the United Auto Workers local
325 on behalf of workers of Ford Motor Company, St. Louis
Assembly Plant, Hazelwood, Missouri. The workers build and
assemble sport utility vehicles, specifically the Mercury
Mountaineer, the Ford Explorer and the Lincoln Aviator.
The investigation revealed sales, production and employment
at the subject firm declined from January through October of
2004 when compared to the same time frame in 2003.
The Department conducted an extensive market share analysis
of like and comparable vehicles. The investigation determined
that imports of like and comparable sport utility vehicles
increased their U.S. market share from 2002 to 2003. Although
import market share for sport utility vehicles declined slightly
during the period of January through September 2004 when
compared to the same time period of 2003, imports increased
absolutely.
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 the sport utility vehicles
produced at the subject firm 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 Ford Motor Company, St. Louis Assembly
Plant, Hazelwood, Missouri, who became totally or partially
separated from employment on or after October 12, 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 23rd day of November 2004
/s/ Linda G. Poole
______________________________
LINDA G. POOLE
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance