DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-58,983

HERSEY METERS
REGISTER DEPARTMENT
INCLUDING ON-SITE LEASED WORKERS OF
ABLEST STAFFING
CLEVELAND, 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, 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 in response to a petition
received on March 10, 2006, and filed by a company official on
behalf of workers at Hersey Meters, Register Department, Cleveland,
North Carolina. The worker group also includes leased workers of
Ablest Staffing working on site at Hersey Meters, Register
Department, Cleveland, North Carolina. The workers produce
registers for water meters.
The decline in employment at the subject plant is related to a
shift in plant production of registers for water meters to a
country (Mexico) that is a party to a free trade agreement with the
United States.
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 there was a shift in production
from the workers' firm or subdivision to Mexico of articles that
are like or directly competitive with those produced by the subject
firm or subdivision. In accordance with the provisions of the Act,
I make the following certification:


"All workers of Hersey Meters, Register Department, including
on-site leased workers of Ablest Staffing, Cleveland, North
Carolina, who became totally or partially separated from
employment on or after March 8, 2005, 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 5th day of April 2006.


/s/Elliott S. Kushner
______________________________
ELLIOTT S. KUSHNER
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance