DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-56,425

AVALANCHE INDUSTRIES
A SUBSIDIARY OF SYNERGY MANUFACURING
INCLUDING LEASED WORKERS OF
STAFFING SOLUTIONS
COLORADO SPRINGS, COLORADO

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 28, 2005, in
response to a petition filed by a company official on behalf of
the workers at Avalanche Industries, a subsidiary of Synergy
Manufacturing, Colorado Springs, Colorado. The workers were
engaged in activities related to the production of cable and
wire harnesses and electro-mechanical sub-assembly. The workers
were not separately identifiable by product line.
The investigation revealed that Avalanche Industries leased
workers from Staffing Solutions.
The investigation further revealed that sales, production
and employment at the subject firm declined from 2003 to 2004.
The Department of Labor surveyed the subject firm's major
customers regarding their purchases of cable and wire harnesses
and electro-mechanical sub-assembly. This survey revealed
increases in customer imports of cable and wire harnesses and
electro-mechanical sub-assembly 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 determine that increases of imports of cable
and wire harnesses and electro-mechanical sub-assembly like or
directly competitive with those produced at Avalanche
Industries, Colorado Springs, Colorado contributed importantly
to the decline in sales or production and to the total or
partial separation of workers of that firm. In accordance with
the provisions of the Act, I make the following certification:
"All workers of Avalanche Industries, including on-site
leased workers of Staffing Solutions, a subsidiary of
Synergy Manufacturing, Colorado Springs, Colorado, who
became totally or partially separated from employment on or
after January 27, 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 4th day of March, 2005.


/s/ Linda G. Poole
__________________________
LINDA G. POOLE
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance