DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-80,320

THULE
THOMASVILLE, GEORGIA

Certification Regarding Eligibility
To Apply For Worker Adjustment Assistance

In accordance with Section 223 of the Trade Act of 1974, as
amended ("Act"), 19 U.S.C. § 2273, the Department of Labor
herein presents the results of an investigation regarding
certification of eligibility to apply for worker adjustment
assistance.
The group eligibility requirements for workers of a Firm
under Section 222(a) of the Act, 19 U.S.C. § 2272(a), are
satisfied if the following criteria are met:
(1) a significant number or proportion of the workers in
such workers' firm, have become totally or partially
separated, or are threatened to become totally or
partially separated;
(2)(A)(i) the sales or production, or both, of such firm or
subdivision have decreased absolutely; and
(ii) imports of articles like or directly competitive
with articles produced by such firm or subdivision have
increased; and
(iii) the increase in imports described in clause (ii)
contributed importantly to such workers' separation or
threat of separation and to the decline in the sales or
production of such firm or subdivision

The investigation was initiated in response to a petition
filed on July 27, 2011, by a company official on behalf of
workers of Thule, Thomasville, Georgia. The workers' firm was
engaged in activities related to the production of pick-up step
bars.
During the course of the investigation, information was
collected from the workers' firm.
Section 222(a)(1) has been met because a significant
number or proportion of the workers in such workers' firm have
become totally separated.
Section 222(a)(2)(A)(i) has been met because the sales
and production of pick-up step bars by Thule, Perry, Florida
have decreased absolutely.
Section 222(a)(2)(A)(ii) has been met because imports of
articles like or directly competitive with the pick-up step
bars produced by Thule, Thomasville, Georgia increased.
Finally, Section 222(a)(2)(A)(iii) has been met because
increased imports contributed importantly to the worker group
separations and sales/production declines at Thule,
Thomasville, Georgia.
Conclusion
After careful review of the facts obtained in the
investigation, I determine that workers of Thule, Thomasville,
Georgia, who are engaged in activities related to production of
pick-up step bars meet the worker group certification criteria
under 222(a) of the Act, 19 U.S.C. § 2272(a). In accordance with
Section 223 of the Act, 19 U.S.C. § 2273, I make the following
certification:
"All workers of Thule, Thomasville, Georgia, who became
totally or partially separated from employment on or after
July 26, 2010, through two years from the date of
certification, and all workers threatened with total or
partial separation on or after December 20, 2011, are
eligible to apply for adjustment assistance under Chapter 2
of Title II of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended."
Signed in Washington, D. C. this 23rd day of November, 2011

/s/Michael W. Jaffe
______________________________
MICHAEL W. JAFFE
Certifying Officer, Office of
Trade Adjustment Assistance