DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Employment and Training Administration
TA-W-57,650

MEROMEX USA, INC.
EL PASO, TEXAS

Negative Determination 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.
The investigation was initiated on July 29, 2005, in response
to a petition filed on behalf of workers at Meromex USA, Inc., El
Paso, Texas. Workers packaged and shipped components like zippers,
and fabric cuts for denim garments.
The investigation revealed that Meromex USA, Inc., El Paso,
Texas does not produce an article within the meaning of Section
222(a)(2) of the Act. In order to be considered eligible to apply
for adjustment assistance under Section 223 of the Trade Act of
1974, the worker group seeking certification (or on whose behalf
certification is being sought) must work for a "firm" or
appropriate subdivision that produces an article and there must be
a relationship between the workers' work and the article produced
by the workers' firm or appropriate subdivision. The packaging and
shipping workers described above do not support a firm or
appropriate subdivision that produces an article domestically and
thus the worker group can not be considered import impacted or
affected by a shift in production of an article.
In addition, 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 worker group must be certified
eligible to apply for trade adjustment assistance (TAA). Since the
workers are denied eligibility to apply for TAA, the workers cannot
be certified eligible for ATAA.
Conclusion
After careful review, I determine that all workers of Meromex
USA, Inc., El Paso, Texas are denied eligibility to apply for
adjustment assistance under Section 223 of the Trade Act of 1974,
and are also denied eligibility 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 August 2005

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