DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-60,486

ALMA PRODUCTS COMPANY
A/C COMPRESSORS
ALMA, MICHIGAN

AND

TA-W-60,486A

ALMA PRODUCTS COMPANY
TORQUE CONVERTERS
ALMA, MICHIGAN

Determinations 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 its investigation regarding
certification of eligibility to apply for worker adjustment
assistance. The group eligibility requirements for
directly-impacted (primary) workers under Section 222(a)
the Trade Act of 1974, as amended, can be satisfied in
either of two ways:
I. Section (a)(2)(A) all of the following must be
satisfied:
A. a significant number or proportion of the workers
in such workers' firm, or an appropriate
subdivision of the firm, have become totally or


partially separated, or are threatened to become
totally or partially separated;
B. the sales or production, or both, of such firm or
subdivision have decreased absolutely; and
C. increased imports of articles like or directly
competitive with articles produced by such firm or
subdivision have contributed importantly to such
workers' separation or threat of separation and to
the decline in sales or production of such firm or
subdivision; or

II. Section (a)(2)(B) both of the following must be
satisfied:

A. a significant number or proportion of the workers
in such workers' firm, or an appropriate
subdivision of the firm, have become totally or
partially separated, or are threatened to become
totally or partially separated;
B. there has been a shift in production by such
workers' firm or subdivision to a foreign country
of articles like or directly competitive with
articles which are produced by such firm or
subdivision; and

C. One of the following must be satisfied:
1. the country to which the workers' firm has
shifted production of the articles is a party
to a free trade agreement with the United
States;
2. the country to which the workers' firm has
shifted production of the articles is a
beneficiary country under the Andean Trade
Preference Act, African Growth and Opportunity
Act, or the Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery
Act; or
3. there has been or is likely to be an increase
in imports of articles that are like or
directly competitive with articles which are or
were produced by such firm or subdivision.

The investigation was initiated on December 14, 2006,
in response to a petition filed by a company official on
behalf of the workers of Alma Products Company, Alma,
Michigan. The workers are engaged in the production of
automotive A/C compressors and torque converters. The
workers are separately identifiable by product line.
A/C Compressors (TA-W-60,486)
The investigation revealed that criteria
(a)(2)(A)(I.C.) and (a)(2)(B)(II.B.) have not been met for
workers of Alma Products Company producing A/C compressors
in Alma, Michigan.
The investigation revealed that subject firm did not
shift the production of automotive A/C compressors to a
foreign country, nor did the subject firm import automotive
A/C compressors.
The Department of Labor surveyed the subject firm's
major customers regarding their purchases of automotive A/C
compressors during 2004, 2005 and January through November
2006. The surveys determined that the customers did not
increase import purchases of automotive A/C compressors
while decreasing purchases from the subject firm during the
relevant period.
Torque Converters (TA-W-60,486A):
It is determined in this case that the requirements of
(a)(2)(A) of Section 222 have been met for workers of Alma
Products Company, Torque Converters, Alma, Michigan.
The investigation revealed that employment, sales,
production related to the firm's production of torque
converters declined from 2004 to 2005 and in January
through November 2006 when compared to the same 2005
period.
The Department of Labor surveyed the subject firm's
major declining customer regarding its purchases of torque
converters in 2004, 2005 and in January through November
2006. The survey revealed that the customer increased
import purchases during 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 alternative trade adjustment
assistance (ATAA), the worker group must be certified
eligible to apply for trade adjustment assistance (TAA).
Since the workers of Alma Products Company, A/C
Compressors, Alma, Michigan (TA-W-60,486), are denied
eligibility to apply for TAA, the workers cannot be
certified eligible for ATAA.

The Department has determined in this case that the
requirements of Section 246 have been met for workers of
Alma Products Company, Torque Converters, Alma, Michigan
(TA-W-60,486A).
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 increases of imports of
articles like or directly competitive with torque
converters produced by Alma Products Company, Torque
Converters, Alma, Michigan, 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 determinations:
I determine that workers of Alma Products Company, A/C
Compressors, Alma, Michigan (TA-W-60,486), engaged in
employment related to the production of automotive A/C
compressors are denied eligibility to apply for trade
adjustment assistance under Section 223 of the Trade Act of
1974, and are also denied eligibility to apply for
alternative trade adjustment assistance under Section 246
of the Trade Act of 1974.
"Workers of Alma Products Company, Torque Converters,
Alma, Michigan (TA-W-60,486A), engaged in employment
related to the production of torque converters, who
became totally or partially separated from employment
on or after November 22, 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 26th day of January, 2007

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