[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 42 (Friday, March 3, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Page 10996]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-3067]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

[TA-W-58,177]


Rexnord Disc Coupling Operation; Coupling Division Warren, PA; 
Notice of Negative Determination on Reconsideration

    On January 18, 2006, the Department issued an Affirmative 
Determination Regarding Application for Reconsideration for the workers 
and former workers of the subject firm. The Department's notice was 
published in the Federal Register on January 30, 2006 (71 FR 4938).
    The petition for the workers of Rexnord Disc Coupling Operation, 
Coupling Division, Warren, Pennsylvania was denied because sales and 
production declined from 2003 through 2004, and January through October 
2005 over the corresponding 2004 period. The initial determination also 
stated that productions shifted from the subject facility to another 
production facility in Alabama.
    In the request for reconsideration, the International Association 
of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, Local Lodge 2304, alleged 
that the subject firm increased imports, is shifting production to 
China and importing the finished product.
    During the reconsideration investigation, the Department contacted 
both the union representative and a company official to discuss the 
union's allegations.
    According to the union representative, the workers produced 
flexible couplings and the subject company was importing coupling 
components. The imported components were either assembled at the 
subject facility into completed flexible couplings or shipped to other 
domestic plants for assembly into flexible couplings. The subject 
facility closed in December 2005 when operations were consolidated with 
an affiliated coupling production plant in Auburn, Alabama.
    Subsequent conversations with the company official confirmed that 
coupling components, and not finished flexible couplings, were imported 
and that operations at the Warren, Pennsylvania plant were consolidated 
with the Auburn, Alabama facility.
    In order to establish import impact, the Department must consider 
imports that are like or directly competitive with those produced at 
the subject firm. In the case at hand, the Department must consider 
imports of article which are like or directly competitive with flexible 
couplings produced at the subject company's Warren, Pennsylvania 
facility. Because coupling components are not like or directly 
competitive with finished flexible couplings, increased imports of 
coupling components cannot be the basis for Trade Adjustment Assistance 
certification for the subject worker group.

Conclusion

    After review of the application and investigative findings, I 
conclude that there has been no error or misinterpretation of the law 
or of the facts which would justify reconsideration of the Department 
of Labor's prior decision. Accordingly, the application is denied.

    Signed at Washington, DC this 13th day of February 2006.
Elliott S. Kushner,
Certifying Officer, Division of Trade Adjustment Assistance.
[FR Doc. E6-3067 Filed 3-2-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-30-P