DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-60,977

WARD MANUFACTURING, INC.
BLOSSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA

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 February 16, 2007 in
response to a petition filed by a company official on behalf of
workers of Ward Manufacturing, Inc., Blossburg, Pennsylvania. The
workers produce cast iron pipe fittings and components, and
stainless steel tubing. Workers are not separately identifiable by
product.
The investigation revealed that employment and production at
the subject facility declined in the relevant period.
The Department of Labor surveyed the subject firm's primary
customers regarding purchases of cast iron piping components in
2005 and 2006. The survey revealed increasing customer imports
during the relevant period.
United States aggregate imports of pipe or tube fittings,
cast, of iron or steel, increased in 2006 compared with 2005.
In addition, 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.
Conclusion
After careful review of the facts obtained in the
investigation, I determine that increases of imports of articles
like or directly competitive with cast iron piping components
produced at Ward Manufacturing, Inc., Blossburg, Pennsylvania,
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 Ward Manufacturing, Inc., Blossburg,
Pennsylvania, who became totally or partially separated from
employment on or after February 14, 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/Richard Church
______________________________
RICHARD CHURCH
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance