DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-58,597

COOPER STANDARD AUTOMOTIVE
NORTH AMERICAN SEALING SYSTEMS DIVISION
GAYLORD, 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 (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 January 9, 2006, in
response to a petition filed by the International Union, United
Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America
(U.A.W.), Local 388, on behalf of workers of Cooper Standard
Automotive, North American Sealing Systems Division, Gaylord,
Michigan. Workers at the subject firm produce weather sealing,
inner & outer belts, rubber & plastic extrusions; workers are not
separately identifiable by product line.
The investigation revealed that employment and sales at the
subject firm declined from 2004 to 2005.
The Department of Labor surveyed the subject firm's major
declining customers regarding their purchases of weather sealing,
inner & outer belts, rubber & plastic extrusions in 2004 and 2005.
This survey revealed increased imports of weather sealing, inner &
outer belts, rubber & plastic extrusions 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 firms are age 50 or
over and do not possess skills that are 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 weather sealing, inner & outer
belts, rubber & plastic extrusions produced by Cooper Standard
Automotive, North American Sealing Systems Division, Gaylord,
Michigan 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 Cooper Standard Automotive, North American
Sealing Systems Division, Gaylord, Michigan, who became
totally or partially separated from employment on or after
December 27, 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 7th day of February 2006

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