DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-63,163

SAINT-GOBAIN PERFORMANCE PLASTICS
POLYMER PRODUCTS DIVISION
INCLUDING ON-SITE LEASED WORKERS FROM DIMENSION STAFFING, TEMP
DEPOT, MERGIS GROUP, AND MICROTECH STAFFING
BRISTOL, RHODE ISLAND

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 April 9, 2008 in
response to a petition filed by a company official on behalf of
workers of Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics, Polymer Products
Division, Bristol, Rhode Island. Workers produce engineered
polymer products and parts.
The subject firm also leased workers from Dimension
Staffing, Temp Depot, Mergis Group and Microtech Staffing.
The investigation revealed that a significant number or
proportion of workers at the subject firm are threatened to
become separated from employment as a result of a shift in
production of engineered polymer products to a country (Mexico)
that is party to a free trade agreement with 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 there has been a shift in
production from the workers' firm or subdivision to Mexico of
articles that are like or directly competitive with those
produced by the subject firm or subdivision. In accordance with
the provisions of the Act, I make the following certification:
"All workers of Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics, Polymer
Products Division, including on-site leased workers from
Dimension Staffing, Temp Depot, Mergis Group and Microtech
Staffing, Bristol, Rhode Island, who became totally
separated from employment on April 8, 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 at Washington, D.C., this 23rd day of April 2008


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