DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-60,193

ILPEA, INC.
DIVISION 26
A SUBSIDIARY OF ILPEA SPA
FT. 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, 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 September 29, 2006, in
response to a petition filed by a company official on behalf of
workers of ILPEA, Inc., Division 26, a subsidiary of ILPEA SpA,
Ft. Smith, Arkansas. The workers at the subject firm are
engaged in the production of side refrigerator gaskets.
The decline in employment at the subject firm is related to
a shift in plant production of side by side refrigerator gaskets
to a country (Mexico) that is party to a free trade agreement
with the United States.
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 conclude that there was a shift in production
from the workers' firm or subdivision to Mexico of articles that
are like or directly competitive with side by side refrigerator
gaskets produced by the subject firm or subdivision. In
accordance with the provisions of the Act, I make the following
certification:
"All workers of ILPEA, Inc., Division 26, a subsidiary of
ILPEA SpA, Ft. Smith, Arkansas, who became totally or
partially separated from employment on or after September
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 12th day of October, 2006



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