Petitioner Type: Company
Impact Date: 01/11/2004
Filed Date: 01/13/2005
Most Recent Update: 01/26/2005
Determination Date: 01/26/2005
Expiration Date: 01/26/2007
Employment and Training Administration
TA-W-56,336
GRACO CHILDREN'S PRODUCTS, INC.
ELVERSON, PENNSYLVANIA
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 on January 13, 2005 in
response to a petition filed by a company official on behalf of
workers at Graco Children's Products, Inc., Elverson, Pennsylvania.
Workers are engaged in employment related to the production of
juvenile furniture including entertainers and infant swings.
The investigation revealed that a significant portion of
workers at the subject company have been separated or are
threatened with separation from employment and that production of
juvenile furniture at the subject plant declined during the
relevant time period.
The subject firm will continue to increase imports of
juvenile furniture which contributes to the employment and
production declines at Elverson. It will rely exclusively on
imports of entertainers and infant swings.
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 juvenile
furniture produced at Graco Children's Products, Inc., Elverson,
Pennsylvania contributed importantly to the total or partial
separation of workers and to the decline in sales or production at
that firm or subdivision. In accordance with the provisions of the
Act, I make the following certification:
"All workers of Graco Children's Products, Inc., Elverson,
Pennsylvania, who became totally or partially separated from
employment on or after January 11, 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 in Washington, D. C., this 26th day of January, 2005.
/s/ Richard Church
______________________________
RICHARD CHURCH
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance