DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Employment and Training Administration
TA-W-39,246
ABB AUTOMATION
WILLIAMSPORT, PENNSYLVANIA

Negative Determination 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 eligibility 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:
(1) that a significant number or proportion of the workers in the workers' firm, or an appropriate subdivision thereof, have become totally or partially separated, or are threatened to become totally or partially separated;

(2) that sales or production, or both, of the firm or subdivision have decreased absolutely; and

(3) that increases of imports of articles like or directly competitive with articles produced by the firm or appropriate subdivision have contributed importantly to the separations, or threat thereof, and to the absolute decline in sales or production.

The investigation was initiated on May 14, 2001 in response to a petition filed on behalf of workers at ABB Automation, Williamsport, Pennsylvania. The workers produce printed circuit boards.


The investigation revealed that criterion (3) has not been met.
The Department Of Labor surveyed major customers of the subject firm regarding their purchases of printed circuit boards in 1999, 2000, and January through July 2000 and 2001. Findings of the survey revealed that none of the customers increased import purchases of printed circuit boards while reducing purchases of these articles from the subject firm.
Conclusion

After careful review, I determine that all workers of ABB Automation, Williamsport, Pennsylvania, are denied eligibility to apply for adjustment assistance under Section 223 of the Trade Act of 1974.

Signed in Washington, D. C. this 31st day of October, 2001.
/s/ Linda G. Poole
____________________________
LINDA G. POOLE
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance