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TAW-98108  /  Belden DBA West Penn Wire (Washington, PA)

Petitioner Type: Company
Impact Date: 11/04/2020
Filed Date: 11/04/2021
Most Recent Update: 02/17/2022
Determination Date: 02/17/2022
Expiration Date: 02/17/2024

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-98,108

BELDEN DBA WEST PENN WIRE

EXCLUDING ASSEMBLY DEPARTMENT

WASHINGTON, PENNSYLVANIA

Certification Regarding Eligibility

To Apply for Worker Adjustment Assistance and

Alternative Trade Adjustment Assistance

TRADE ADJUSTMENT ASSISTANCE

In accordance with Section 223 of the Trade Act of 1974, as
amended ("the Act"), 19 U.S.C. § 2273, the Department of Labor
("Department") herein presents the results of an investigation
regarding certification of eligibility to apply for Trade
Adjustment Assistance ("TAA") for workers.

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, or an appropriate subdivision of the
firm, have become totally or partially separated, or are
threatened to become totally or partially separated;

(2)(B)(i) there has been a shift in production by such
workers' firm or subdivision to a foreign country of
articles like or directly competitive with articles which
are produced by such firm or subdivision; and

(ii)(I) the country to which the workers' firm has shifted
production of the articles is a party to a free trade
agreement with the United States;

(II) the country to which the workers' firm has
shifted production of the articles is a beneficiary under
the African Growth and Opportunity Act, or the Caribbean
Basin Economic Act; or

(III) there has been or is likely to be an increase
in imports of articles that are like or directly
competitive with articles which are or were produced by
such firm or subdivision

The investigation was initiated in response to a Trade
Adjustment Assistance for Workers (TAA) and Alternative Trade
Adjustment Assistance (ATAA) petition dated November 4, 2021, and
filed on November 4, 2021, by a company official on behalf of
former workers of Belden DBA West Penn Wire, Washington,
Pennsylvania (hereafter referred to as the "worker group"). The
worker group excludes workers within the Assembly Department. In
accordance with 20 C.F.R. 618.110 a worker group is defined as,
""¦inclusive of teleworkers and staffed workers."

The worker group is engaged in activities related to the
production of low voltage cables.

The petition alleges that worker separations, or threats
thereof, were due to jobs being moved to Mexico.

Workers of the Assembly Department at Belden DBA West Penn
Wire, Washington, Pennsylvania were certified eligible to apply
for Trade Adjustment Assistance under petition number TA-W-
96,723, which expires on March 15, 2023.

During the course of the investigation, the Department
collected information from the petitioner(s), the workers' firm,
and other relevant sources.

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)(B) has been met because a shift in
production of low voltage cables to a foreign country that is party
to a free trade agreement with the United States has occurred.

ALTERNATIVE TRADE ADJUSTMENT ASSISTANCE

In accordance with Section 246 the Trade Act of 1974, as
amended ("Act"), 19 U.S.C. § 2813, the Department herein presents
the results of its investigation regarding certification of
eligibility to apply for Alternative Trade Adjustment Assistance
("ATAA") for older workers.

The group eligibility requirements for workers of a firm under
Section 246 (a)(3)(A)(ii) of the Trade Act are satisfied if the
following criteria are met:

(I) Whether a significant number of workers in the
workers' firm are 50 years of age or older;
(II) Whether the workers in the workers' firm possess
skills that are not easily transferable; and
(III) The competitive conditions within the workers'
industry (i.e., conditions within the industry
are adverse).

Section 246(a)(3)(A)(ii)(I) has been met because a
significant number of workers in the workers' firm are 50 years of
age or older.

Section 246(a)(3)(A)(ii)(II) has been met because the workers
in the workers' firm possess skills that are not easily
transferrable.

Finally, Section 246(a)(3)(A)(ii)(III) has been met because
conditions within the workers' industry are adverse.

Conclusion

After careful review of the facts obtained in the
investigation, I determine that workers of Belden DBA West Penn
Wire, excluding Assembly Department, Washington, Pennsylvania, who
are engaged in activities related to the production of low voltage
cables, 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 Belden DBA West Penn Wire, excluding Assembly
Department, Washington, Pennsylvania, who became totally or
partially separated from employment on or after November 4,
2020, 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, and are
also eligible to apply for alternative trade adjustment
assistance under Section 246 of the Trade Act of 1974, as
amended."

Signed in Washington, D. C. this 17th day of February, 2022.



/s/ Hope D. Kinglock
_______________________
HOPE D. KINGLOCK

Certifying Officer, Office of

Trade Adjustment Assistance