DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-63,249

STARKEY LABORATORIES, INC.
STARKEY NORTHWEST DIVISION
PORTLAND, OREGON

Certification Regarding Eligibility
To Apply For Worker Adjustment Assistance and
Negative Determination Regarding Eligibility to Apply For
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 25, 2008, in response
to a petition filed on behalf of workers of Starkey Laboratories,
Inc., Starkey Northwest division, Portland, Oregon. The workers
produce hearing aids.
The declines in employment at the subject firm are
attributable to a shift in production of hearing aids 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 group criteria for ATAA program that the Department must
considered under the Section 246 of the Trade Act are:
1. Whether a significant number of workers in the
subject firm are 50 years of age or older.

2. Whether the workers in the workers' firm possess
skills that are not easily transferable.

3. The competitive conditions within the workers'
industry (i.e., conditions within the industry are
adverse).

The Department has determined that criterion (2) has not been
met.
The workers at the subject firm possess skills that are easily
transferable.





Conclusion
After careful review of the facts obtained in the
investigation, I determine that increases of imports of articles
like or directly competitive with hearing aids produced by Starkey
Laboratories Inc., Starkey Northwest division, Portland, Oregon
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 Starkey Laboratories Inc., Starkey Northwest
division, Portland, Oregon, who became totally or partially
separated from employment on or after April 23, 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
I further determine that all workers of Starkey Laboratories
Inc., Starkey Northwest division, Portland, Oregon, are denied
eligibility to apply for alternative trade adjustment assistance
Under Section 246 of the Trade Act of 1974.
Signed in Washington, D.C. this 3rd day of June 2008


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