DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-64,049

MERIDIAN AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS
INCLUDING ON-SITE LEASED WORKERS FROM MANPOWER
SHREVEPORT, LOUISIANA

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 as a secondarily affected
worker group.
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 September 15, 2008 in
response to a petition filed by a state representative on behalf of
workers of Meridian Automotive Systems, Shreveport, Louisiana.
Workers at the subject facility produce front bumper assemblies for
automobiles. The workers are separately identifiable.
The investigation revealed that Meridian Automotive Systems
also employed leased workers from Manpower.
The investigation revealed that sales and employment at the
subject facility declined during the relevant period.
The investigation revealed that Meridian Automotive Systems,
Shreveport, Louisiana, supplies components and a loss of business
with a manufacturer of assembled automobiles whose workers were
certified eligible to apply for adjustment assistance contributed
importantly to the separation or threat of separation of workers at
Meridian Automotive Systems, Shreveport, Louisiana.
In addition, 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 workers Meridian Automotive
Systems, Shreveport, Louisiana, qualify as adversely affected
secondary workers under Section 222 of the Trade Act of 1974, as
amended. In accordance with the provisions of the Act, I make the
following certification:
"Workers of Meridian Automotive Systems, Shreveport,
Louisiana, engaged in employment related to the production of
front bumper assemblies, who became totally or partially
separated from employment on or after September 12, 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 25th day of September 2008.

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