DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-56,745

TRANE INDUSTRIAL SHEET METAL PLANT
A DIVISION OF AMERICAN STANDARD COMPANIES
ROCKINGHAM, NORTH CAROLINA

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 March 11, 2005 in response
to a petition filed by a company official on behalf of workers of
Trane Industrial Sheet Metal Plant, a division of American Standard
Companies, Rockingham, North Carolina. The workers produce custom
engineered air handling equipment.
The investigation revealed that sales, production and
employment at the Gainesboro plant declined in 2004 compared to
2003. It is anticipated that all production will cease in early
September 2005 when the plant is shut down.
The United States Department of Labor conducted a survey of
major customers of the subject firm regarding their purchases of
custom engineered air handling equipment in 2003 and 2004. The
survey revealed that customers awarded a major contract to a
foreign producer. The subject firm was the lowest domestic bidder
for the contract, and this business lost to a firm producing abroad
affected sales and employment at the Rockingham plant.
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 articles
like or directly competitive with custom engineered air handling
equipment produced at Trane Industrial Sheet Metal Plant, a
division of American Standard Companies, Rockingham, North Carolina
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 Trane Industrial Sheet Metal Plant, a division
of American Standard Companies, Rockingham, North Carolina who
became totally or partially separated from employment on or
after March 1, 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 7th day of June 2005.

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