DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-64,569

TOWER AUTOMOTIVE, LLC
CHICAGO DIVISION
INCLUDING ON-SITE LEASED WORKERS FROM PEOPLELINK STAFFING
CHICAGO, ILLINIOS

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 December 2, 2008, in response
to a worker petition filed on behalf of workers of Tower Automotive,
LLC, Chicago Division, Chicago, Illinois. Workers at the subject firm
produce floor panels and structural parts for the auto industry.
Workers are not separately identifiable by specific product line.
The subject worker group includes on-site leased workers from
Peoplelink Staffing.
The investigation revealed that employment and production
declined during the January through October 2008 period over the
corresponding 2007 period.
The Department of Labor surveyed the subject firm's major
declining customer regarding its purchases of floor panels and
structural parts in 2006, 2007, and January through October 2007, and
the corresponding period in 2008. The survey revealed that there was
an increase on imported floor panels and structural parts purchases
during the relevant period.
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 floor panels and structural parts produced at of
Tower Automotive, LLC, Chicago Division, Chicago, Illinois 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 Tower Automotive, LLC, Chicago Division,
Chicago, Illinois, including on-site leased workers from
Peoplelink Staffing who became totally or partially separated
from employment on or after November 7, 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 9th day of January, 2009


/s/Elliott S. Kushner
______________________________
ELLIOTT S. KUSHNER
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance