DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-38,596

MATSUSHITA BATTERY CORPORATION
STORAGE BATTERY DIVISION
COLUMBUS, GEORGIA

Certification Regarding Eligibility
To Apply for Worker Adjustment Assistance

In accordance with Section 223 of the Trade Act of 1974 (19
USC 2273) as amended by the Omnibus Trade and Competitiveness Act
of 1988 (P. L. 100-418), the Department of Labor herein presents
the results of an investigation regarding certification of eligi-
bility to apply for worker adjustment assistance.
In order to make an affirmative determination and issue a
certification of eligibility to apply for adjustment assistance
each of the group eligibility requirements of Section 222 of the
Act must be met. It is determined in this case that all of the
requirements have been met.
The investigation was initiated on January 29, 2001, in
response to a petition filed by employees on behalf of workers at
Matsushita Battery Industrial Corporation of America, Storage
Battery Division, Columbus, Georgia. The workers are engaged in
employment related to the production of sealed lead acid
batteries. Workers are not separately identifiable by product.
The investigation revealed that production and employment at
the subject plant decreased during the period under
investigation.


The subject firm has shifted production of sealed lead acid
batteries to plants outside the United States. The parent
company has increased imports since shifting production.
Conclusion
After careful review of the facts obtained in the investi-
gation, I conclude that there was an increase in imports of
articles that are like or directly competitive with those
produced by the subject firm which contributed importantly to the
total or partial separation of workers of workers at Matsushita
Battery Corporation, Storage Battery Division, Columbus, Georgia.
In accordance with the provisions of the Trade Act, I make the
following certification:
"All workers at Matsushita Battery Corporation of America,
Storage Battery Division, Columbus, Georgia who became
totally or partially separated from employment on or after
December 26, 1999, through two years from the date of
certification, are eligible to apply for adjustment
assistance under Section 223 of the Trade Act of 1974."
Signed at Washington, D.C., this 23rd day of July, 2001.


/s/ Linda G. Poole

LINDA G. POOLE
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance