DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-56,196

STERN RUBBER COMPANY
STAPLES, MINNESOTA

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), 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 December 10, 2004 in
response to a petition filed by a state agency representative on
behalf of workers of Stern Rubber Company, Staples, Minnesota.
Workers at the subject facility produce custom molded rubber
products. They are not separately identifiable by product.
The investigation revealed that the subject firm's sales and
production started to decline in December 2004 and this decline
continued into 2005.
The investigation further revealed that subject facility did
not import custom molded rubber products in 2002, 2003 or January
through November of 2004 nor did it shift production to a foreign
country.
The Department of Labor surveyed the subject facility's major
customer regarding its purchases of custom molded rubber products.
This survey revealed increases in imports of custom molded rubber
products during the period under investigation.
In accordance with Section 246 of 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 custom molded rubber parts
produced at Stern Rubber Company, Staples, Minnesota contributed
importantly to the total or partial separation of workers and to
the decline in sales or production and at that firm or subdivision.
In accordance with the provisions of the Act, I make the following
certification:
"All workers of Stern Rubber Company, Staples, Minnesota who
became totally or partially separated from employment on or
after December 10, 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 19th day of January, 2005.


/s/ Elliott S. Kushner
______________________________
ELLIOTT S. KUSHNER
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance