DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-55,847

WHITEWATER MOLD INC.
TRAVERSE CITY, MICHIGAN

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 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 22, 2004 in
response to a petition filed by a company official on behalf of
workers at Whitewater Mold Inc., Traverse City, Michigan. The
workers at the subject firm produce plastic injection molds.
The investigation revealed that production and employment
at the subject firm declined absolutely during the period of
2002 to 2003 and from January through September of 2004, when
compared to the same period in 2003.
The Department of Labor surveyed the entities to which
Whitewater Mold Inc., submitted bids to produce plastic
injection molds. This survey which encompassed bids during the
relevant period (2002, 2003 and January through September 2004)
revealed that a contract was awarded to a U.S. firm that has
sourced the molds outside of the United States.
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
have been met.
A significant number of workers at the facility 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 plastic injection molds
produced at Whitewater Mold Inc., Traverse City, Michigan
contributed importantly to the total or partial separation of
workers and to the decline in production at that firm or
subdivision. In accordance with the provisions of the Act, I
make the following certification:
"All workers of Whitewater Mold Inc., Traverse City,
Michigan, who became totally or partially separated from
employment on or after October 18, 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 3rd day of December, 2004

/s/ Linda G. Poole

_______________________________
LINDA G. POOLE
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance