Petitioner Type: Union
Impact Date:
Filed Date: 11/15/2004
Most Recent Update: 12/15/2004
Determination Date: 12/15/2004
Expiration Date:
Employment and Training Administration
TA-W-55,990
EASTMAN HOUSE
DIVISION OF CHITTENDEN & EASTMAN
BURLINGTON, IOWA
Negative Determinations 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 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. The group eligibility requirements for
directly-impacted (primary) workers under Section 222(a) the Trade
Act of 1974, as amended, can be satisfied in either of two ways:
I. Section (a)(2)(A) all of the following must be satisfied:
A. a significant number or proportion of the workers in
such workers' firm, or an appropriate subdivision of the
firm, have become totally or partially separated, or are
threatened to become totally or partially separated;
B. the sales or production, or both, of such firm or
subdivision have decreased absolutely; and
C. increased imports of articles like or directly
competitive with articles produced by such firm or
subdivision have contributed importantly to such workers'
separation or threat of separation and to the decline in
sales or production of such firm or subdivision; or
II. Section (a)(2)(B) both of the following must be satisfied:
A. a significant number or proportion of the workers in such
workers' firm, or an appropriate subdivision of the firm,
have become totally or partially separated, or are
threatened to become totally or partially separated;
B. there has been a shift in production by such workers' firm
or subdivision to a foreign country of articles like or
directly competitive with articles which are produced by
such firm or subdivision; and
C. One of the following must be satisfied:
1. the country to which the workers' firm has shifted
production of the articles is a party to a free trade
agreement with the United States;
2. the country to which the workers' firm has shifted
production of the articles is a beneficiary country
under the Andean Trade Preference Act, African Growth
and Opportunity Act, or the Caribbean Basin Economic
Recovery Act; or
3. there has been or is likely to be an increase in
imports of articles that are like or directly
competitive with articles which are or were produced
by such firm or subdivision.
The investigation was initiated on November 15, 2004 in
response to a petition filed by the United Steelworkers of America,
on behalf of workers of Eastman House, a division of Chittenden and
Eastman, Burlington, Iowa. The workers produce mattresses and box
springs.
The investigation revealed that criteria (a)(2)(A)(I.C) and
(a)(2)(B)(II.B) have not been met.
The investigation revealed that the subject firm did not
import mattresses and box springs, nor did it shift production
abroad in 2002, 2003, or during the period of January through
November 2004.
The Department of Labor surveyed the subject firm's major
declining customers regarding their purchases of mattresses and box
springs. These surveys revealed no imports during the relevant
period of investigation.
In addition, 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 worker group must be certified
eligible to apply for trade adjustment assistance (TAA). Since the
workers are denied eligibility to apply for TAA, the workers cannot
be certified eligible for ATAA.
Conclusion
After careful review of the facts obtained during this
investigation, I determine that all workers of Eastman House, a
division of Chittenden and Eastman, Burlington, Iowa, are denied
eligibility to apply for adjustment assistance under Section 223 of
the Trade Act of 1974, and are also denied eligibility to apply for
alternative trade adjustment assistance under Section 246 of the
Trade Act of 1974.
Signed in Washington, D.C. this 15th day of December 2004.
/s/ Linda G. Poole
________________________________
LINDA G. POOLE
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance