DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-56,968

AMES TRUE TEMPER COMPANY
NORTH VERNON, INDIANA

Certification Regarding Eligibility
To Apply For Worker Adjustment Assistance and
Negative Determination Regarding Eligibility To Apply For
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 April 14, 2005, in response
to a petition filed on behalf of workers of Ames True Temper
Company, North Vernon, Indiana. The workers produce wood handles
for garden tools.
The investigation revealed that company imports of wood
handles for garden tools increased during the relevant period, and
layoffs at the subject firm occurred as a result.
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.
The group eligibility criteria for the ATAA program that the
Department must consider under Section 246 of the Trade Act are:
1. Whether a significant number of workers in the workers'
firm are 50 years of age or older.
2. Whether the workers in the workers' firm possess skills
that are not easily transferable.
3. The competitive conditions within the workers' industry
(i.e., conditions within the industry are adverse).

The Department has determined that criterion 2 has not been
met.
The investigation revealed that the skills of the worker group
are easily transferable to other positions in the local area.
Conclusion
After careful review of the facts obtained in the
investigation, I determine that increases of imports of articles
like or directly competitive with wood handles for garden tools
produced at Ames True Temper Company, North Vernon, Indiana
contributed importantly to the total or partial separation of
workers and to the decline in sales and production at that firm or
subdivision. In accordance with the provisions of the Act, I make
the following certification:
"All workers of Ames True Temper Company, North Vernon,
Indiana who became totally or partially separated from
employment on or after March 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."
I further determine that all workers of Ames True Temper
Company, North Vernon, Indiana, are denied eligibility to
apply for alternative trade adjustment assistance under
Section 246 of the Trade Act of 1974.
Signed in Washington, D.C., this 25th day of May, 2005.

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