DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-65,119

WHATMAN
A SUBSIDIARY OF GE HEALTHCARE
SANFORD, MAINE

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)(B) of
Section 222 have been met.
The investigation was initiated on February 4, 2009, in
response to a petition filed by the State Workforce Office on
behalf of workers of Whatman, a subsidiary of GE Healthcare,
Sanford, Maine. The workers produce filtration devices and
disposables.
The workers at the subject facility were denied eligibility to
apply for adjustment assistance TAA on January 15, 2009 (TA-W-
64,797).
This investigation revealed that employment at the subject
firm has declined.
The investigation further revealed that the preponderance of
the employment decline at the subject facility is related to a
shift in production of filtration devices and disposables to
Germany and the United Kingdom. It is likely the subject firm will
increase imports of filtration devices and disposables following
the shift abroad.
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 determine that there was a shift in production
from the workers' firm or subdivision to Germany and the United
Kingdom of articles that are like or directly competitive with
those produced by the subject firm or subdivision, and there has
been or is likely to be an increase in imports of like or directly
competitive articles. In accordance with the provisions of the Act,
I make the following certification:
"All workers of Whatman, a subsidiary of GE Healthcare,
Sanford, Maine, who became totally or partially separated from
employment on or after February 3, 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 13th day of February 2009


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