DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-62,584

GENERAL DYNAMICS OTS
SCRANTON OPERATIONS
SCRANTON, PENNSYLVANIA

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 on December 18, 2007 in
response to a petition filed by the International Association of
Machinists and Aerospace Workers Local 847 on behalf of workers of
General Dynamics OTS, Scranton Operations, Scranton, Pennsylvania.
The workers produce mortar shells.
The investigation revealed that sales and employment at the
subject firm declined in January through November 2007 when
compared with the same period in 2006.
The Department of Labor surveyed the entity to which the
subject firm submitted a bid to produce mortar shells during the
relevant period. The survey revealed that the project was awarded
to a domestic firm that is producing the mortar shells in Canada
and shipping them to the United States.
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 increases of imports of articles
like or directly competitive with mortar shells produced by General
Dynamics OTS, Scranton Operations, Scranton, Pennsylvania
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 General Dynamics OTS, Scranton Operations,
Scranton, Pennsylvania, who became totally or partially
separated from employment on or after December 14, 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 10th of March 2008


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