Petitioner Type: Company
Impact Date: 11/29/2004
Filed Date: 11/30/2005
Most Recent Update: 12/13/2005
Determination Date: 12/13/2005
Expiration Date: 12/13/2007
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Employment and Training Administration
TA-W-58,422
WESTERN FORGE CORPORATION
MURPHY, 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 November 30, 2005, in
response to a petition filed by a company official on behalf of
workers of Western Forge Corporation, Murphy, North Carolina. The
workers produce screwdrivers.
The investigation revealed that the subject firm has
experienced declines in sales, production and employment during the
relevant time period.
The investigation also revealed that the subject firm
increased its imports of screwdrivers 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.
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 screwdrivers produced at Western
Forge Corporation, Murphy, 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 Western Forge Corporation, Murphy, North
Carolina, who became totally or partially separated from
employment on or after November 29, 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 13th day of December 2005.
/s/ Elliott S. Kushner
______________________________
ELLIOTT S. KUSHNER
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance