DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-59,982

BRIDGESTONE/FIRESTONE NORTH AMERICAN TIRE, LLC
A DIVISION OF BRIDGESTONE/FIRESTONE INC.,
INCLUDING ON-SITE LEASED WORKERS OF UNICCO, WEDGECO, TCMS,
JANIKING, BOLDT CONSTRUCTION, ATLANTIC PROJECTS,
FRI ELECTRONICS, DUNCAN EQUIPMENT, AND EXPRESS PERSONNEL
OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA

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 August 30, 2006 in
response to a petition filed by a company official on behalf of
workers of Bridgestone/Firestone North America Tire LLC, a
division Bridgestone/Firestone Inc., Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
The workers produce automotive tires.
The worker group includes on-site leased workers of Unicco,
Wedgeco, TCMS, Janiking, Boldt Construction, Atlantic Projects,
FRI Electric, Duncan Equipment, and Express Personnel.
The investigation revealed that employment at the subject
facility declined during the period of January through August
2006 compared with the same period in 2005.
Production of automotive tires is being shifted abroad,
including to a country (Costa Rica) that is a beneficiary
country under the Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act.
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 Costa Rica 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 Bridgestone/Firestone North America Tire
LLC, a division Bridgestone/Firestone Inc., including on-
site leased workers of Unicco, Wedgeco, TCMS, Janiking,
Boldt Construction, Atlantic Projects, FRI Electric, Duncan
Equipment, and Express Personnel, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
who became totally or partially separated from employment
on or after August 29, 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 20th day of September 2006

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