Certified
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TAW-60983  /  United States Ceramic Tile Company (East Sparta, OH)

Petitioner Type: Union
Impact Date: 11/06/2006
Filed Date: 02/20/2007
Most Recent Update: 03/07/2007
Determination Date: 03/07/2007
Expiration Date: 03/07/2009

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-60,983

UNITED STATES CERAMIC TILE COMPANY
A SUBSIDIARY OF LAUFEN INTERNATIONAL, INC.
EAST SPARTA, OHIO

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)(A) of Section 222 have been met.
The investigation was initiated on February 20, 2007, in
response to a petition filed by the United Steelworkers of
America, Local 45 on behalf of workers of United States Ceramic
Tile Company, a subsidiary of Laufen International, Inc., East
Sparta, Ohio. The workers are engaged in the production of
ceramic wall tile.
The investigation determined that production and employment
at the subject firm declined in January 2007 when compared to
January 2006.
The investigation also revealed that company imports of
ceramic wall tile increased during the relevant period.
Workers of United States Ceramic Tile Company, a subsidiary
of Laufen International, Inc., East Sparta, Ohio were previously
certified eligible to apply for adjustment assistance under
petition number TA-W-55,860 which expired on November 5, 2006.
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 do not possess skills that are 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 ceramic wall tile produced by
United States Ceramic Tile Company, a subsidiary of Laufen
International, Inc., East Sparta, Ohio, 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 United States Ceramic Tile Company, a
subsidiary of Laufen International, Inc., East Sparta,
Ohio, who became totally or partially separated from
employment on or after November 6, 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 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 7th day of March, 2007.


/s/ Linda G. Poole

______________________________
LINDA G. POOLE
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance