DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-62,177

ASF-KEYSTONE, INC.
A DIVISION OF AMSTED
GRANITE CITY, ILLINOIS

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 September 21, 2007 in
response to a petition filed by the United Steelworkers of
America, Sub District 2 on behalf of workers of ASF-Keystone,
Inc, a division of Amsted, Granite City, Illinois. The subject
facility produces railroad castings. The workers are separately
identifiable. The first group of workers produces large parts
which include sideframes, bolsters, and draft sills. The second
group of workers produces small parts which include couplers,
knuckles, yokes, and articulated connectors.
The investigation revealed that employment at the subject
facility declined in January through September 2007 compared
with the same time period of 2006 for both groups of workers.
Production of large and small parts has shifted to a
country (Mexico) that is party to a free trade agreement with
the United States.
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.
According to a company official, 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 there was a shift in production
from the workers' firm or subdivision to Mexico of articles that
are like or directly competitive with those produced by that
firm or subdivision. In accordance with the provisions of the
Act, I make the following certification:
"All workers of ASF-Keystone, Inc, a division of Amsted,
Granite City, Illinois, who became totally or partially
separated from employment on or after September 20, 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 11th day of January 2008


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