[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 36 (Tuesday, February 24, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 8487-8488]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-3915]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

[TA-W-53,135]


Castle Rubber, LLC; East Butler, PA; Notice of Revised 
Determination on Reconsideration

    By letter postmarked December 11, 2003, company officials and 
United Steelworkers of America, Local 116L requested administrative 
reconsideration regarding the Department's Negative Determination 
Regarding Eligibility to Apply for Worker Adjustment Assistance, 
applicable to the workers of the subject firm.
    The initial investigation resulted in a negative determination 
issued on November 5, 2003, based on the finding that imports of molded 
and built-up rubber products did not contribute importantly to worker 
separations at the subject plant and no shift of production to a 
foreign source occurred. The denial notice was published in the Federal 
Register on November 28, 2003 (68 FR 66878).
    To support the request for reconsideration, the company official 
supplied additional major declining

[[Page 8488]]

customers to supplement those that were surveyed during the initial 
investigation. The survey revealed that significant number of major 
declining customers contacted during the reconsideration, increased 
their imports of molded and built-up rubber products in the relevant 
period. The imports accounted for a meaningful portion of the subject 
plant's lost sales and production.
    In accordance with Section 246 of the Trade Act of 1974 (26 U.S.C. 
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 additional facts obtained on 
reconsideration, I conclude that increased imports of articles like or 
directly competitive with those produced at Castle Rubber, LLC, East 
Butler, Pennsylvania, contributed importantly to the declines in sales 
or production and to the total or partial separation of workers at the 
subject firm. In accordance with the provisions of the Act, I make the 
following certification:

All workers of Castle Rubber, LLC, East Butler, Pennsylvania, who 
became totally or partially separated from employment on or after 
October 2, 2002, through two years from the date of this 
certification, are eligible to apply for adjustment assistance under 
section 223 of the Trade Act of 1974, and are eligible to apply for 
alternative trade adjustment assistance under section 246 of the 
Trade Act of 1974.

    Signed in Washington, DC, this 5th day of February 2004.
Elliott S. Kushner,
Certifying Officer, Division of Trade Adjustment Assistance.
[FR Doc. 04-3915 Filed 2-23-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-30-P