DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-65,063

STABILUS, INC.
GASTONIA, NORTH CAROLINA

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, as
amended (19 USC 2273), 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 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 February 2, 2009, in
response to a petition filed by a North Carolina State Workforce
Office on behalf of workers of Stabilus, Inc., Gastonia, North
Carolina. The workers produce gas springs.
Workers at the subject firm were certified eligible to apply
for adjustment assistance on February 28, 2007 (TA-W-60,860). That
certification will expire on February 28, 2009.
This investigation revealed that employment and production at
the Gastonia facility declined in 2008 compared with 2007, and
declined further in January 2009.
The subject firm increased its reliance on imports in January
2009 compared with January 2008.
In addition, 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 conclude that there was an increased reliance on
imports of articles that are like or directly competitive with
those produced by the subject firm or subdivision. In accordance
with the provisions of the Act, I make the following certification:


"All workers of Stabilus, Inc., Gastonia, North Carolina, who
became totally or partially separated from employment on or
after March 1, 2009 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
Signed in Washington, D.C., this 27th day of February 2009


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