DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-62,509

BAKAERT CORPORATION
INCLUDING ON-SITE LEASED WORKERS FROM STAFFMARK AND UNICO
DYERSBURG, TENNESSEE

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 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 on November 29, 2007 in
response to a petition filed by a company official on behalf of
workers at Bekaert Corporation, Dyersburg, Tennessee. The workers
produce steel cord used in the manufacture of steel belted radial
tires. The subject firm leased workers from Staffmark and Unico to
work on-site to produce steel cord.
Workers at the subject firm were certified eligible to apply
for trade adjustment assistance on December 19, 2005 (TA-W-58,384).
That certification expires on December 19, 2007.
This investigation revealed that production and employment
have declined at the Booneville facility. The subject firm has
increased its imports of steel cord and will replace all production
at the site with imported cord. A shutdown of the plant is
anticipated at the end of 2007.
In addition, in accordance with Section 246 of 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 an increase in imports of articles
like or directly competitive with steel cord produced at Bekaert
Corporation, Dyersburg, Tennessee, 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 Bekaert Corporation, including on-site leased
workers from Staffmark and Unico, Dyersburg, Tennessee who became
totally or partially separated from employment on or after December
20, 2007 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 7th day of December, 2007

/s/Richard Church
____________________________
RICHARD CHURCH
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance