DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-62,748

PANASONIC PRIMARY BATTERY CORPORATION OF AMERICA
INCLUDING ON-SITE WORKERS OF
PANASONIC BATTERY CORPORATION OF AMERICA – HEADQUARTERS DIVISION
COLUMBUS, GEORGIA

Amended 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), and Section 246 of the Trade Act of 1974 (26 USC
2813), as amended, the Department of Labor issued a Certification
of Eligibility to Apply for Worker Adjustment Assistance and
Alternative Trade Adjustment Assistance on March 5, 2008,
applicable to workers of Panasonic Primary Battery Corporation of
America, Columbus, Georgia. The notice will be published soon in
the Federal Register.
At the request of the State agency, the Department reviewed
the certification for workers of the subject firm. The workers
are engaged in the production of alkaline batteries – sizes AA,
AAA, C, D, and 9-volt.
New information shows that worker separations have occurred
involving employees of Panasonic Battery Corporation of America –
Headquarters Division, employed on-site at the Columbus, Georgia
location of Panasonic Primary Battery Corporation of America.
Workers of the Headquarters Division provided various support
function services for the Columbus, Georgia location of the
subject firm.
Based on these findings, the Department is amending this
certification to include all workers of Panasonic Battery
Corporation of America – Headquarters Division working on-site at
the Columbus, Georgia location of the subject firm.
The intent of the Department’s certification is to include
all workers employed at Panasonic Primary Battery Corporation of
America, Columbus, Georgia who were adversely affected by a shift
in production of alkaline batteries to Thailand.



The amended notice applicable to TA-W-62,748 is hereby
issued as follows:
"All workers of Panasonic Primary Battery Corporation
of America, including on-site workers from Panasonic
Battery Corporation of America – Headquarters Division,
Columbus, Georgia, who became totally or partially
separated from employment on or after January 25, 2007,
through March 5, 2010, 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 at Washington, D.C., this 18th day of March 2008


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



4510-FN-P


DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-62,748

PANASONIC PRIMARY BATTERY CORPORATION OF AMERICA
COLUMBUS, GEORGIA

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), 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 January 28, 2008 in
response to a petition filed by a company official on behalf of
workers of Panasonic Primary Battery Corporation of America,
Columbus, Georgia. Workers produce alkaline batteries – sizes AA,
AAA, C, D, and 9-volt. Workers are not separately identifiable by
product line.
The investigation revealed that employment at the subject firm
decreased comparing the employment count for 2007 to 2006.
The subject firm shifted some of its production of alkaline
batteries – sizes AA, AAA, C, D, and/or 9-volt from Columbus,
Georgia to Thailand.
Moreover, company imports of alkaline batteries – sizes AA,
AAA, C, D, and/or 9-volt are likely to increase.
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 determine that that there was a shift in
production from the subject firm to a foreign country of articles
that are like or directly competitive with those produced by the
subject firm, 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 Panasonic Primary Battery Corporation of
America, Columbus, Georgia who became totally or partially
separated from employment on or after January 25, 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 5th day of March 2008

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









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