DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Employment and Training Administration
TA-W-59,539

SAFECO INSURANCE
IT DEPARTMENT
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON

Negative Determination 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.
The investigation was initiated on June 9, 2006, in
response to a petition filed on behalf of workers of Safeco
Insurance, IT Department, Seattle, Washington. The workers
performed various IT functions (i.e. testing and maintenance of
existing mainframe(s)) for Safeco Insurance.
The investigation revealed Safeco Insurance provides a
variety of insurance products: underwriting, sales, service and
claims, to Safeco customers.
The investigation also revealed that Safeco Insurance, IT
Department, Seattle, Washington, does not produce an article
within the meaning of Section 222(a) (2) of the Act. In order
to be considered eligible to apply for adjustment assistance
under Section 223 of the Trade Act of 1974, the worker group
seeking certification (or on whose behalf certification is being
sought) must work for a "firm" or appropriate subdivision that
produces an article and there must be a relationship between the
workers' work and the article produced by the workers' firm or
appropriate subdivision. The IT functions (i.e. testing and
maintenance of existing mainframe(s)) do not support a firm or
appropriate subdivision that produces an article domestically
and thus the worker group can not be considered import impacted
or affected by a shift in production of an article.
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 worker group must be
certified eligible to apply for trade adjustment assistance
(TAA). Since the workers are denied eligibility to apply for
TAA, the workers cannot be certified eligible for ATAA.





Conclusion
After careful review, I determine that all workers of
Safeco Insurance, IT Department, Seattle, Washington are denied
eligibility to apply for adjustment assistance under Section 223
of the Trade Act of 1974, and are also denied eligibility to
apply for alternative trade adjustment assistance under Section
246 of the Trade Act of 1974.
Signed in Washington, D.C., this 29th day of June, 2006.


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