Petitioner Type: Union
Impact Date: 11/21/2005
Filed Date: 11/24/2006
Most Recent Update: 12/29/2006
Determination Date: 12/29/2006
Expiration Date: 12/29/2008
Employment and Training Administration
TA-W-60,478
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
ST. LOUIS ASSEMBLY PLANT
VEHICLE OPERATIONS
HAZELWOOD, MISSOURI
Certification Regarding Eligibility
To Apply for Worker Adjustment Assistance and
to Apply for 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 November 24, 2006, in
response to a petition filed by the United Auto Workers on
behalf of workers of Ford Motor Company, St. Louis Assembly
Plant, Vehicle Operations, Hazelwood, Missouri. The workers
assemble sport utility vehicles, specifically the Ford Explorer,
Lincoln Aviator, and Mercury Mountaineer. The workers are not
separately identifiable by specific vehicle.
The investigation revealed that production and employment
at the subject facility declined during the relevant period.
The Department of Labor conducted an analysis of the United
States market share of vehicles like or directly competitive
with the vehicles produced at the Hazelwood facility. The
investigation determined that imports of such vehicles
significantly increased their share of the U.S. market during
the period of January through November 2006 compared with the
corresponding 2005 period, while the Ford Explorer, Lincoln
Aviator, and Mercury Mountaineer decreased their share of the
U.S. market during the same comparative period.
Although sales of imported like or directly competitive
vehicles declined slightly in the partial year 2006 period,
sales of like vehicles produced at the subject firm experienced
much greater declines in the same period, showing an increased
consumer reliance on vehicles produced abroad.
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 given
the employment situation in the local area. 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 the sport utility vehicles
produced at the subject plant 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 Ford Motor Company, St. Louis Assembly
Plant, Vehicle Operations, Hazelwood, Missouri, who became
totally or partially separated from employment on or after
November 21, 2005 through two years from the date of
certification are eligible to apply for adjustment assis-
tance 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 29th day of December 2006
/s/Richard Church
______________________________
RICHARD CHURCH
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance