DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-56,257

AMES TRUE TEMPER
PLANT #1
A SUBSIDIARY OF CASTLE HARLAN
PARKERSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA

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), 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 in response to a petition
initiated on December 28, 2004 and filed by the United
Steelworkers of America, Local 1651, on behalf of workers at
Ames True Temper, Plant #1, a subsidiary of Castle Harlan,
Parkersburg, West Virginia. The workers produce lawn and garden
tools (i.e. shovels) and are not separately identifiable by
product line.
The investigation revealed that employment and production
declined at the subject firm 2003 to 2004.
The investigation also revealed that imports of shovels by
the subject firm increased during the relevant time period.
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 conclude that increases of imports of articles
like or directly competitive with shovels produced by Ames True
Temper, Plant #1, a subsidiary of Castle Harlan, Parkersburg,
West Virginia, contributed importantly to the total or partial
separation of workers and to the decline in sales or production
at that firm. In accordance with the provisions of the Act, I
make the following certification:
"All workers of Ames True Temper, Plant #1, a subsidiary
of Castle Harlan, Parkersburg, West Virginia, who became
totally or partially separated from employment on or after
October 8, 2004, 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 at Washington, D.C., this 28th day of January, 2005.

/s/ Linda G. Poole

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