DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-62,256

AEARO TECHNOLOGIES
INCLUDING ON-SITE LEASED WORKERS OF COWORX, DIAMOND STAFFING,
EXPRESS PERSONNEL AND TALENT TREE
SOUTHBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS

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 October 4, 2007, in
response to a petition filed by a company official on behalf of
workers of Aearo Technologies, Southbridge, Massachusetts. The
workers are engaged in the production of industrial and consumer
safety products (i.e. safety eyewear spectacles, goggles, face
protection, respirators, ear muffs, ear plugs, communication
headsets).
The decline in employment at the subject firm is related to
a partial shift in the production of dust masks, pleats,
respirators, non-prescription safety eyewear, and hearing
protection products to Taiwan and Mexico. The imports of these
articles will likely increase.
Aearo Technologies, Southbridge, Massachusetts also leased
on-site workers from CoWorx, Diamond Staffing, Express Personnel
and Talent Tree.
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 conclude that there was a shift in production
from the workers' firm or subdivision to Taiwan and Mexico of
articles that are like or directly competitive with dust masks,
pleats, respirators, non-prescription safety eyewear, and
hearing protection products produced by the subject firm or
subdivision, and there has been or is likely to be an increase
in imports of like or directly competitive articles. In
accordance with the provisions of the Act, I make the following
certification:
"All workers of Aearo Technologies, Southbridge,
Massachusetts, including on-site leased workers from
CoWorx, Diamond Staffing, Express Personnel and Talent
Tree, who became totally or partially separated from
employment on or after October 1, 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 23rd day of October, 2007

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