Petitioner Type: Workers
Impact Date: 12/13/2003
Filed Date: 01/04/2005
Most Recent Update: 01/19/2005
Determination Date: 01/19/2005
Expiration Date: 01/19/2007
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Employment and Training Administration
TA-W-56,283
SERVICE MANUFACTURING
WESLACO, TEXAS
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 an 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)(B) of
Section 222 have been met.
The investigation was initiated January 4, 2005 in response to
a petition filed by a company official on behalf of workers of
Service Manufacturing, Weslaco, Texas. Workers at the subject firm
produced luggage.
The preponderance in the declines in employment at the subject
plant is attributed to a shift in production of luggage to Mexico,
a country that is party to free trade agreement with 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 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 there was a shift in production of
luggage produced at Service Manufacturing, Weslaco, Texas to
Mexico. In accordance with the provisions of the Act, I make the
following certification:
"All workers of Service Manufacturing, Weslaco, Texas, who
became totally or partially separated from employment on or
after December 13, 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