Petitioner Type: Company
Impact Date: 12/27/2004
Filed Date: 12/27/2005
Most Recent Update: 02/02/2006
Determination Date: 02/02/2006
Expiration Date: 02/02/2008
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Employment and Training Administration
TA-W-58,548
KEELER BRASS COMPANY
A SUBSIDIARY OF FKI, PLC
GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN
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 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 December 27, 2005, in
response to a petition filed by a company official on behalf of
workers at Keeler Brass Company, a subsidiary of FKI, PLC, Grand
Rapids, Michigan. The workers at the subject firm produce
decorative furniture hardware.
The investigation also revealed that employment, sales and
production at the subject firm declined during the period of
January through November 2005 over the corresponding 2004 period.
The investigation further revealed that the subject firm
increased imports of decorative furniture hardware during the
period of January through November 2005 over the corresponding 2004
period.
In addition, in accordance with Section 246 of 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 an increase in imports of articles
like or directly competitive with decorative furniture hardware
produced at 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:
"All workers of Keeler Brass Company, a subsidiary of FKI,
PLC, Grand Rapids, Michigan who became totally or partially
separated from employment on or after January 29, 2006,
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 2nd day of February, 2006.
/s/ Elliott S. Kushner
______________________________
ELLIOTT S. KUSHNER
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance