Petitioner Type: Workers
Impact Date: 01/12/2004
Filed Date: 01/19/2005
Most Recent Update: 02/08/2005
Determination Date: 02/08/2005
Expiration Date: 02/08/2007
4/11/05
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Employment and Training Administration
TA-W-56,361
HEDSTROM CORPORATION
ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, ILLINOIS
INCLUDING EMPLOYEES OF HEDSTROM CORPORATION
ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, ILLINOIS WORKING IN THE STATES OF:
TA-W-56,361A NEVADA
TA-W-56,361B TEXAS
TA-W-56,361C FLORIDA
Amended 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 issued a Certification of
Eligibility to Apply for Worker Adjustment Assistance and
Alternative Trade Adjustment Assistance on February 8, 2005,
applicable to workers of Hedstrom Corporation, Arlington Heights,
Illinois. The notice was published in the Federal Register on
March 9, 2005 (70 FR 11704).
At the request of the State agency, the Department reviewed
the certification for workers of the subject firm. New
information shows that worker separations have occurred involving
employees of Hedstrom Corporation, Arlington Heights, Illinois
working in Nevada, Texas and Florida. These employees provide
support function services for the production of children’s
leisure products such as swing sets, trampolines and sleeping
bags produced at the Arlington Heights, Illinois location of the
subject firm.
Based on these findings, the Department is amending this
certification to include employees of Hedstrom Corporation,
Arlington Heights, Illinois working in Nevada, Texas and Florida.
The intent of the Department’s certification is to include
all workers of Hedstrom Corporation who were adversely affected
by increased company imports.
The amended notice applicable to TA-W-56,361 is hereby
issued as follows:
"All workers of Hedstrom Corporation, Arlington
Heights, Illinois (TA-W-56,361), including employees of
Hedstrom Corporation, Arlington Heights, Illinois,
working in Nevada (TA-W-56,361A), Texas (TA-W-56,361B),
and Florida (TA-W-56,361C), who became totally or
partially separated from employment on or after January
12, 2004, through February 8, 2007, 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 1st day of April 2005.
_______
ELLIOTT S. KUSHNER
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Employment and Training Administration
TA-W-56,361
HEDSTROM CORPORATION
ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, ILLINOIS
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
received on January 19, 2005 and filed on behalf of workers at
Hedstrom Corporation, Arlington Heights, Illinois. The workers
are engaged employment related to the production of children’s
play equipment or children’s leisure products such as swing sets,
trampolines and sleeping bags.
The investigation revealed that plant production and
employment declined during the relevant period.
The investigation further revealed that the company
increased their reliance on imported children’s play equipment or
children’s leisure products during the relevant period.
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 addition, 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 children’s play equipment or
children’s leisure products produced at Hedstrom Corporation,
Arlington Heights, Illinois 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 Hedstrom Corporation, Arlington Heights,
Illinois who became totally or partially separated from
employment on or after January 12, 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 8th day of February, 2005.
/s/ Elliott S. Kushner
______________________________
ELLIOTT S. KUSHNER
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance