DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-58,692

UNIQUE BALANCE INC.
DUBUQUE, IOWA

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)(B) of Section 222 have been met.
The investigation was initiated on January 24, 2006, in
response to a petition filed by the International Association of
Machinists and Aerospace Workers on behalf of workers of Unique
Balance Inc., Dubuque, Iowa. The workers at the subject firm
produce sash balances for windows.
The investigation revealed that the preponderance in the
declines in employment at the subject firm is related to a shift
in production of sash balances for windows, to Canada, a country
that is party to a free trade agreement with the United States.
In addition, 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 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 conclude that there has been a shift in
production from Unique Balance Inc., Dubuque, Iowa to Canada of
articles that are like or directly competitive with those
produced by that firm or subdivision. In accordance with the
provisions of the Act, I make the following certification:
"All workers of Unique Balance Inc., Dubuque, Iowa who
became totally or partially separated from employment on or
after January 23, 2005, through two years from the date of
certification, are eligible to apply for adjustment assis-
tance 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 14th day of February, 2006

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