DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-62,492

THULE TOWING STSYEMS
D/B/A TITAN
WYANDOTTE, MICHIGAN

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)(B) of
Section 222 have been met.
The investigation was initiated on November 23, 2007 in
response to a petition filed by a company official on behalf of
workers of Thule Towing Systems d/b/a Titan, Wyandotte, Michigan.
The workers produce trailer components in particular trailer balls.
The investigation revealed that the preponderance of declines
in employment at the subject facility is related to a shift in
production of trailer balls to China. The investigation further
revealed that the subject firm will also increase imports of
trailer balls to 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.
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 was a shift in production from the
workers' firm or subdivision to China, of articles like or directly
competitive with trailer balls produced by Thule Towing Systems
d/b/a Titan, Wyandotte, Michigan, 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 Thule Towing Systems d/b/a Titan, Wyandotte,
Michigan, who became totally or partially separated from
employment on or after November 21, 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 13th day of December 2007


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