DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-60,866

WOLVERINE WORLD WIDE
ROCKFORD, 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, 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 January 31, 2007 in
response to a petition filed on behalf of workers at Wolverine
World Wide, Rockford, Michigan. The workers at the subject firm
were engaged in the activities related to the production of work
boots; they are not separately identifiable by articles produced at
the subject plant.
The investigation revealed that the subject plant experienced
employment declines during the relevant period.
The investigation further revealed the subject firm has
shifted plant production of boot soles to a country (Dominican
Republic) that is a beneficiary country under the Caribbean Basin
Economic Recovery Act with the United States.
The investigation also revealed that the company is in the
process of increasing their imports of boot soles.
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 addition, 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 conclude that there was a shift in production from
the workers' firm or subdivision to the Dominican Republic of
articles that are like or directly competitive with those produced
at Wolverine World Wide, Rockford, Michigan. In accordance with
the provisions of the Act, I make the following certification:
"All workers of Wolverine World Wide, Rockford, Michigan, who
became totally or partially separated from employment on or
after January 29, 2006 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 April, 2007.


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