Petitioner Type: Company
Impact Date: 08/17/2004
Filed Date: 08/18/2005
Most Recent Update: 09/01/2005
Determination Date: 09/01/2005
Expiration Date: 09/01/2007
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Employment and Training Administration
TA-W-57,773
OWT INDUSTRIES, INC.
OUTDOOR PRODUCTS DIVISION
INCLUDING ON-SITE LEASED WORKERS OF STAFFMASTERS, USA, INC.
PICKENS, SOUTH 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 August 18, 2005, in response to a petition filed by a company official on behalf of workers of OWT Industries, Inc., Outdoor Products Division, Pickens, South Carolina. The workers produce leaf blowers, string trimmers and chainsaws.
The investigation revealed that OWT Industries, Inc., Outdoor Products Division, Pickens, South Carolina also leased workers from Staffmasters USA, Inc. to produce leaf blowers, string trimmers and chainsaws.
The investigation also revealed that production and employment declined from January through July 2005 over the corresponding 2004 period.
The Department of Labor surveyed the subject firms’ major declining customer regarding its purchases of leaf blowers, string trimmers and chainsaws in 2003, 2004 and January through July 2005. The survey revealed that the customer increased their import purchases of leaf blowers, string trimmers and chainsaws while reducing their purchases from the subject firm during the relevant 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.
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 increases of imports of leaf blowers, string trimmers and chainsaws produced by OWT Industries, Inc., Outdoor Products Division, Pickens, South 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 OWT Industries, Inc., Outdoor Products Division, Pickens, South Carolina, including on-site leased workers from Staffmasters USA, Inc., who became totally or partially separated from employment on or after August 17, 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 1st day of September, 2005.
/s/ Elliott S. Kushner
______________________________
ELLIOTT S. KUSHNER
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance
Employment and Training Administration
TA-W-57,773
OWT INDUSTRIES, INC.
OUTDOOR PRODUCTS DIVISION
INCLUDING ON-SITE LEASED WORKERS OF STAFFMASTERS, USA, INC.
PICKENS, SOUTH 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 August 18, 2005, in response to a petition filed by a company official on behalf of workers of OWT Industries, Inc., Outdoor Products Division, Pickens, South Carolina. The workers produce leaf blowers, string trimmers and chainsaws.
The investigation revealed that OWT Industries, Inc., Outdoor Products Division, Pickens, South Carolina also leased workers from Staffmasters USA, Inc. to produce leaf blowers, string trimmers and chainsaws.
The investigation also revealed that production and employment declined from January through July 2005 over the corresponding 2004 period.
The Department of Labor surveyed the subject firms’ major declining customer regarding its purchases of leaf blowers, string trimmers and chainsaws in 2003, 2004 and January through July 2005. The survey revealed that the customer increased their import purchases of leaf blowers, string trimmers and chainsaws while reducing their purchases from the subject firm during the relevant 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.
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 increases of imports of leaf blowers, string trimmers and chainsaws produced by OWT Industries, Inc., Outdoor Products Division, Pickens, South 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 OWT Industries, Inc., Outdoor Products Division, Pickens, South Carolina, including on-site leased workers from Staffmasters USA, Inc., who became totally or partially separated from employment on or after August 17, 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 1st day of September, 2005.
/s/ Elliott S. Kushner
______________________________
ELLIOTT S. KUSHNER
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance