[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 36 (Friday, February 22, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 9837-9838]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-3217]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

[TA-W-61,721]


Oregon Cutting Systems Group, a Wholly Owned Subsidiary of Blount 
Inc., Warehouse, Clackamas, OR; Notice of Revised Determination on 
Reconsideration

    On August 31, 2007, the Department issued an Affirmative 
Determination Regarding Application for Reconsideration for the workers 
and former workers of Oregon Cutting Systems Group, a wholly owned 
subsidiary of Blount, Inc., Warehouse, Clackamas, Oregon (the subject 
facility). The Department's Notice of affirmative determination was 
published in the Federal Register on September 11, 2007 (72 FR 51846).
    The negative determination regarding workers' eligibility to apply 
for Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) and Alternative Trade Adjustment 
Assistance (ATAA) was issued on June 29, 2007, and the Notice of 
determination was published in the Federal Register on July 19, 2007 
(72 FR 39644). The determination stated that the subject workers 
performed warehousing activities related to the production of chainsaw 
chains, bars, and sprockets, and that the production that the workers 
supported had shifted to a country that is neither a party to a free 
trade agreement with the United States nor a beneficiary under either 
the African Growth and Opportunity Act or

[[Page 9838]]

the Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act.
    The request for reconsideration alleged that the subject workers 
not only supported the production but also produced chainsaw chains, 
bars, and sprockets at the subject facility. The subject facility 
ceased to operate in March 2007.
    During the reconsideration investigation, the Department received 
information confirming that the subject facility is a warehouse and 
that the subject workers produced neither chainsaw chains, bars, nor 
sprockets.
    New information obtained during the investigation revealed that the 
subject facility supported production at domestic, affiliated 
facilities whose production declined during 2006 (compared to 2005 
levels) and during 2007 (compared to 2006 levels), and that the subject 
firm's reliance on foreign-produced chainsaw chains, bars, and 
sprockets increased during the period of decreased domestic production.
    In accordance with section 246 of the Trade Act of 1974 (26 U.S.C. 
2813), as amended, the Department herein presents the results of its 
investigation regarding certification of eligibility to apply for ATAA.
    The Department has determined in this case that the group 
eligibility 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 information obtained in the 
reconsideration investigation, I determine that the subject workers' 
separations were caused by the decreased need of their services due to 
increased imports of articles like or directly competitive with those 
produced at an affiliated domestic facility that the workers supported.
    In accordance with the provisions of the Act, I make the following 
certification:

    All workers of Oregon Cutting Systems Group, a wholly owned 
subsidiary of Blount, Inc., Warehouse, Clackamas, Oregon, who became 
totally or partially separated from employment on or after June 19, 
2006, 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 at Washington, DC this 11th day of February 2008.
Elliott S. Kushner,
Certifying Officer, Division of Trade Adjustment Assistance.
[FR Doc. E8-3217 Filed 2-21-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-FN-P