Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-60,682

MERIDIAN AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS
PLANT 5
KENTWOOD, MICHIGAN

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 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 December 29, 2006 in
response to a petition filed on behalf of workers of Meridian
Automotive Systems, Plant 5, Kentwood, Michigan. The workers at
the subject firm produce plastic injection molding.
The investigation revealed that sales, production, and
employment at the subject firm declined in the relevant time
period.
The Department of Labor surveyed the subject firm’s major
customers regarding their purchases of plastic injection molded
parts in 2005 and 2006. The survey revealed increased imports
accompanied by reduced purchases from the subject firm.
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 increases of imports of articles
like or directly competitive with plastic injection molding
produced at Meridian Automotive Systems, Plant 5, Kentwood,
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 certification:
"All workers of Meridian Automotive Systems, Plant 5,
Kentwood, Michigan who became totally or partially separated
from employment on or after December 21, 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 9th day of March, 2007

/s/ Richard Church
______________________________
RICHARD CHURCH
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance