DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-63,396

PANASONIC ELECTRONIC DEVICES CORP. OF AMERICA
AUTOMOTIVE SPEAKERS DIVISION
INCLUDING ON-SITE LEASED WORKERS FROM EXPRESS EMPLOYMENT
PROFESSIONALS
KNOXVILLE, 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 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 May 16, 2008 in response to
a petition filed by a company official on behalf of workers of
Panasonic Electronic Devices Corp. of America, Automotive Speakers
Division, Knoxville, Tennessee. The workers produce automotive
speakers. The workers are separately identifiable from two other
divisions located within the same facility.
The subject worker group includes on-site leased workers from
Express Employment Professionals.
Workers of the subject firm were certified eligible for Trade
Adjustment Assistance (TAA) under petition TA-W-54,986 which
expired on June 16, 2006.
The investigation revealed that a significant number or
proportion of workers in the division are threatened to become
separated from employment.
The subject firm has shifted a portion of production of
automotive speakers to a country (Mexico) which is party to a free
trade agreement with 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 there was 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 Panasonic Electronic Devices Corp. of America,
Automotive Speakers Division, including on-site leased workers
from Express Employment Professionals, Knoxville, Tennessee,
who became totally or partially separated from employment on
or after May 15, 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 28th day of May 2008.

/s/ Linda G. Poole

______________________________
LINDA G. POOLE
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance