DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-61,965

STERN MANUFACTURING, INC.
STAPLES, MINNESOTA

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 in response to a petition
received on August 9, 2007 and filed by the Minnesota Trade
Adjustment Assistance Coordinator on behalf of workers at Stern
Manufacturing, Inc., Staple, Minnesota. The workers produce
custom rubber molded parts. The workers are not separately
identifiable by product.
The investigation revealed that plant employment, sales and
production declined during the relevant period.

The Department of Labor conducted a survey of the subject
firm's major declining customers regarding purchases of custom
rubber molded parts during 2005, 2006 and January through July
2007 over the corresponding 2006 period. The survey revealed
that major customers increased their imports of custom rubber
molded parts during the 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 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 subject facility are
age 50 or older 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 custom rubber molded parts
produced at Stern Manufacturing, Inc., Staple, Minnesota
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 Stern Manufacturing, Inc., Staple, Minnesota
who became totally or partially separated from employment on
or after August 8, 2006 through two years from the date of
certification are eligible to apply for adjustment assis-
tance 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 17th day of September, 2007.


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