DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-60,185

SOUTHERN STEEL AND WIRE COMPANY
A SUBSIDIARY OF SSW HOLDING COMPANY, INC.
FORT SMITH, ARKANSAS

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 an investigation regarding certification of eligibility
to apply for worker adjustment assistance as a secondarily affected
worker group.
In order to make an affirmative determination and issue a
certification of eligibility for secondary workers to apply for
Trade Adjustment Assistance, the group eligibility requirements of
paragraph (b) of Section 222 of the Trade Act, as amended, must be
met. It is determined in this case that the requirements of (b) of
Section 222, as amended, have been met.
The investigation was initiated in response to a petition
received on October 3, 2006, filed by a State Workforce
Representatvie on behalf of workers of Southern Steel and Wire
Company, a subsidiary of SSW Holding Company, Inc., Fort Smith,
Arkansas. Workers at the subject firm produce wire products (e.g.
shelving) used in the production of household appliances (e.g.
refrigerators).
The investigation revealed that employment, sales, and
production at the subject firm decreased during the period of
January through September 2006 over the corresponding 2005 period.
The investigation revealed that Southern Steel and Wire
Company, a subsidiary of SSW Holding Company, Inc., Fort Smith,
Arkansas, supplies wire products used in the production of
household appliances (e.g. refrigerators, and at least 20 percent
of its production or sales is supplied to a manufacturer whose
workers were certified eligible to apply for trade adjustment
assistance.
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 workers of Southern Steel and Wire
Company, a subsidiary of SSW Holding Company, Inc., Fort Smith,
Arkansas qualify as adversely affected secondary workers under
Section 222 of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended. In accordance
with the provisions of the Act, I make the following certification:
"All workers of Southern Steel and Wire Company, a subsidiary
of SSW Holding Company, Inc., Fort Smith, Arkansas, who became
totally or partially separated from employment on or after
October 2, 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 at Washington, D.C., this 21st day of November, 2006.


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