DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-65,249

DISSTON COMPANY
SOUTH DEERFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS

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 February 13, 2009 in response
to a petition filed by a Massachusetts State Workforce Office
representative on behalf of workers of Disston Company, South
Deerfield, Massachusetts. The workers produce power saw blades.
The investigation revealed that employment and production at the
subject firm declined in January through February 2009 compared with
the same period in 2008.
The investigation also revealed that the subject firm increased
imports from China of products like or directly competitive with power
saw blades in the relevant period. The increase in imports contributed
importantly to a decline in production and employment at the South
Deerfield facility.
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 power saw blades produced at Disston Company, South
Deerfield, Massachusetts, 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 Disston Company, including on-site leased
workers from Dependable Business Agency, South Deerfield,
Massachusetts, who became totally or partially separated from
employment on or after February 9, 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 25th day of March 2009

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