DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-65,687

TAWAS TOOL COMPANY
A SUBSIDIARY OF STAR CUTTER COMPANY
756 NORTH AULURICH and 980 AULURICH
EAST TAWAS, MICHIGAN

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 March 27, 2009, in response
to a petition filed by a company official on behalf of workers of
Tawas Tool Company/Star Cutter Company, 756 North Aulurich Road and
980 Aulurich Road, East Tawas, Michigan. The workers produce shape
cutters, fork cutters, saw cutters, rack cutters, and gear knobs.
The investigation revealed that sales and employment combined
for both Tawas Tool locations in East Tawas, Michigan, declined
during the period under investigation.
The Department of Labor surveyed the subject firm's major
declining customer regarding its purchases of shape cutters, fork
cutters, saw cutters, rack cutters, and gear knobs during 2007,
2008, and January through March 2009. The survey revealed
increased import purchases of shape cutters, fork cutters, saw
cutters, rack cutters, and gear knobs 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 shape cutters, fork cutters, saw
cutters, rack cutters, and gear knobs produced at Tawas Tool
Company, a subsidiary of Star Cutter Company, 756 North Aulurich
Road and 980 Aulurich Road, East Tawas, Michigan, 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 Tawas Tool Company, a subsidiary of Star
Cutter Company, 756 North Aulurich Road and 980 Aulurich Road,
East Tawas, Michigan, who became totally or partially
separated from employment on or after March 26, 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 22nd day of May 2009


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