DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-81,136

MICHELIN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
BF GOODRICH TIRE MANUFACTURING DIVISION
OPELIKA, ALABAMA

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; and

(2)(A)(i) the sales or production, or both, of such firm have
decreased absolutely; and

(ii)(I) imports of articles or services like or directly
competitive with articles produced or services supplied by
such firm 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.
The investigation was initiated in response to a petition
filed on December 5, 2011 by the United Steelworkers on behalf
of workers of Michelin North America, Inc., BF Goodrich Tire
Manufacturing Division, Opelika, Alabama (Michelin). The
workers’ firm was engaged in activities related to the
production of passenger and light truck radial tires.
Specifically, the worker group performed plant closing
activities for Michelin. Workers of Michelin North America,
Inc., BF Goodrich Tire Manufacturing Division, Opelika,
Alabama were previously certified under certification number
TA-W-71,267 which expired on June 25, 2010.
During the course of the investigation, information was
collected from the workers’ firm and the petitioner.
Section 222(a)(1) has been met because 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.
Section 222(a)(2)(A)(i) has been met because the sales of
passenger and light truck radial tires by Michelin have
decreased absolutely.
Section 222(a)(2)(A)(ii) has been met because imports of
articles like or directly competitive with the passenger and
light truck radial tires produced by Michelin have increased.
Finally, Section 222(a)(2)(A)(iii) has been met because
the increased imports contributed importantly to the worker
group separations and sales declines at Michelin.
Conclusion
After careful review of the facts obtained in the
investigation, I determine that workers of Michelin North
America, Inc., BF Goodrich Tire Manufacturing Division,
Opelika, Alabama, who were engaged in plant closing activities,
meet the worker group certification criteria under Section
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 Michelin North America, Inc., BF Goodrich
Tire Manufacturing Division, Opelika, Alabama, who became
totally or partially separated from employment on or after
June 26, 2010, through two years from the date of
certification, and all workers in the group threatened with
total or partial separation from employment on the date of
certification through two years from the date of
certification, 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 28th day of December, 2011.

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