DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-56,547

SETON COMPANY
SAXTON LEATHER DIVISION
INCLUDING LEASED WORKERS OF SPHERION
SAXTON, 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, 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 on February 11, 2005 in
response to a petition filed on behalf of the workers of Seton
Company, Saxton Leather Division, Saxton, Pennsylvania. The
workers produce finished hides and leather pieces cut to pattern
for the automotive industry. The cut sets are made from the
finished hides. The subject facility leased workers from
Spherion.
Workers at the subject firm were certified eligible to
apply for adjustment assistance on August 13, 2002 (TA-W
41,532). That certification expired August 13, 2004.
The preponderance in the declines in employment at the
subject facility is related to a shift in production of cut sets
to a country (Mexico) that is party to a free trade agreement
with the United States, and to a country (Costa Rica) that is a
beneficiary country under the Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery
Act.
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
from the workers' firm or subdivision to Mexico and Costa Rica
of articles that are like or directly competitive with those
produced by the subject firm or subdivision. In accordance with
the provisions of the Act, I make the following certification:
"All workers of Seton Company, Saxton Leather Division,
including leased workers of Spherion, Saxton, Pennsylvania
who became totally or partially separated from employment
on or after August 14, 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 24th day of February 2005.

/s/ Richard Church
______________________________
RICHARD CHURCH
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance