DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-59,742
UNITED PANEL, INC.
INCLUDING ONSITE LEASED WORKERS FROM JOB CONNECTIONS
AND ERG STAFFING
MT. BETHEL, PENNSYLVANIA

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 July 18, 2006 in response
to a petition filed on behalf of workers of United Panel Inc., Mt.
Bethel, Pennsylvania. The workers at the subject facility produce
reinforced fiberglass panels. The worker group includes onsite
leased workers of Job Connections and ERG Staffing.
The investigation revealed that sales, production and
employment at the facility all declined absolutely upon its
shutdown, which occurred on July 31, 2006.
The Department of Labor surveyed the subject facility's
primary customers regarding purchases of reinforced fiberglass
panels in 2004, 2005 and January through June of 2006. The survey
revealed that in January through June of 2006, compared with the
same period one year prior, respondents became increasingly reliant
on imports of reinforced fiberglass panels.
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 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 increases of imports of articles
like or directly competitive with reinforced fiberglass panels
produced at United Panel Inc., Mt. Bethel, Pennsylvania 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 United Panel Inc., Mt. Bethel, Pennsylvania
including onsite leased workers of Job Connections and ERG
Staffing, who became totally or partially separated from
employment on or after July 17, 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 15th day of August 2006.

/s/ Richard Church
______________________________
RICHARD CHURCH
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance