DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-64,860

THE MODESTO BEE NEWSPAPER
AD PRODUCTION GROUP
MODESTO, CALIFORNIA

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 January 12, 2009 in response
to a worker petition filed on behalf of workers of The Modesto Bee
Newspaper, Ad Production Group, Modesto, California. The workers
produce newspaper ads.
The investigation revealed that production and employment in the
Ad Production Group declined in 2008 compared with 2007.
The subject firm shifted a portion of its ad production from the
Modesto facility to India. All of the transferred production will be
imported back into 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 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 newspaper ads produced at The Modesto Bee Newspaper,
Ad Production Group, Modesto, California, 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 The Modesto Bee Newspaper, Ad Production Group,
Modesto, California, who became totally or partially separated
from employment on or after January 7, 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 February, 2009

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