DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-59,997

WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
LAVERGNE DIVISION
LAVERGNE, TENNESSEE

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)(A) of Section 222 have been met.
The investigation was initiated on September 1, 2006, in
response to a petition filed on behalf of workers of Whirlpool
Corporation, LaVergne Division, LaVergne, Tennessee. The
workers are engaged in the production of room air conditioners
and dehumidifiers. The workers are not separately identifiable.
The investigation determined that sales, production and
employment at the subject facility declined from 2004 to 2005
and in January through August 2006.
The investigation also revealed that company imports of
room air conditioners and dehumidifiers increased in the
relevant period.
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 determine that increases of imports of articles
like or directly competitive with room air conditioners and
dehumidifiers produced by Whirlpool Corporation, LaVergne
Division, LaVergne, Tennessee, 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 Whirlpool Corporation, LaVergne Division,
LaVergne, Tennessee, who became totally or partially
separated from employment on or after August 18, 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 September, 2006.


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