DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-64,286

MTD ACQUISITION
INCLUDING ON-SITE LEASED WORKERS
FROM OUR GANG STAFFING, AND
EXPRESS EMPLOYMENT PROFESSIONALS
CHISHOLM, MINNESOTA

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 its 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)(A) of
Section 222 have been met.
The investigation was initiated on October 27, 2008, in
response to a petition filed by a company official on behalf of
workers of MTD Acquisition, Chisholm, Minnesota. The workers
produce drill bits.
The investigation revealed that sales and employment declined
at the subject firm in the period of January through September 2008
compared with the corresponding period of 2007.
The Department of Labor surveyed the subject firm's major
declining customer regarding its purchases of drill bits in 2006
through September 2008. The survey revealed increased imports of
drill bits during the period under investigation.
United States aggregate imports of cutting tools and machine
tool accessories increased in January through September 2008 over
the corresponding period of 2007.
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 increases of imports of articles
like or directly competitive with drill bits produced at MTD
Acquisition, Chisholm, Minnesota 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 MTD Acquisition, including on-site leased
workers from Our Gang Staffing, and Express Employment
Professionals, Chisholm, Minnesota who became totally or
partially separated from employment on or after October 24,
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 3rd day of December 2008


/s/Richard Church
______________________________
RICHARD CHURCH
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance