Petitioner Type: Union
Impact Date: 11/11/2004
Filed Date: 11/14/2005
Most Recent Update: 12/23/2005
Determination Date: 12/23/2005
Expiration Date: 12/23/2007
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Employment and Training Administration
TA-W-58,334
ARMSTRONG WORLD INDUSTRIES, INC.
LANCASTER FLOOR PLANT SHEET DIVISION
LANCASTER, 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)(A) of
Section 222 have been met.
The investigation was initiated on November 14, 2005 in
response to a petition filed by the United Steel Workers of
America, Local 285 on behalf of workers at Armstrong World
Industries, Inc., Lancaster Floor Plant Sheet Division, Lancaster,
Pennsylvania. The workers manufacture commercial sheet vinyl
flooring and are separately identifiable from those workers
producing other articles at the plant.
The investigation revealed that employment and production of
commercial sheet vinyl flooring at the subject declined from 2004
to 2005.
The investigation further revealed that the subject firm
increased imports of commercial sheet vinyl flooring during the
period of January through October 2005, over the corresponding
period in 2004.
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 are age 50 or over and do not
possess skills that are easily transferable to positions in the
local area. Competitive conditions in 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 commercial sheet vinyl flooring
produced by the subject firm 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:
"Workers of Armstrong World Industries, Inc., Lancaster Floor
Plant Sheet Division, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, engaged in the
production of commercial sheet vinyl flooring, who became
totally or partially separated from employment on or after
November 11, 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 23rd day of December 2005
/s/ Linda G. Poole
______________________________
LINDA G. POOLE
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance