DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-63,925

HUTCHINSON FTS
LOW PRESSURE BYRDSTOWN DIVISION
INCLUDING ON-SITE LEASED WORKERS OF PLACEMENT PROS
BYRDSTOWN, 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 (19 USC
2273), as amended, 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 for secondary workers to apply for
Trade Adjustment Assistance, the group eligibility requirements of
paragraph (b) of Section 222 of the Trade Act, as amended, must be
met. It is determined in this case that the requirements of (b) of
Section 222, as amended, have been met.
The investigation was initiated on August 25, 2008 in response
to a petition filed by company officials on behalf of workers at
Hutchinson FTS, Inc., Low Pressure Byrdstown Division, Byrdstown,
Tennessee. Workers of the Low Pressure Byrdstown Division are
engaged in the production of rubber hose assemblies.
The investigation revealed that Hutchinson FTS, Inc., Low
Pressure Byrdstown Division, Byrdstown, Tennessee also leased
workers from Placement Pros to produce rubber hose assemblies.
The workers of the Low Pressure Byrdstown Division were
previously certified eligible to apply for trade adjustment
assistance due to shift in production to Mexico under TA-W-60,013
which expires on September 26, 2008.
This investigation revealed that employment and sales at the
subject facility declined from 2006 to 2007.
The subject firm is shifting production of rubber hose
assemblies to Mexico. Mexico is a 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 subject facilities 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, 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 Hutchinson FTS, Inc., Low Pressure Byrdstown,
Byrdstown, Tennessee, including on-site leased workers of
Placement Pros, who became totally or partially separated from
employment on or after September 27, 2008 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 11th day of September 2008


/s/Richard Church

RICHARD CHURCH
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance