DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-39,336

MERIDIAN AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS
LAPEER OPERATIONS
LAPEER, MICHIGAN

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 eli-
gibility 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 in response to a petition
received on May 29, 2001, filed by United Auto Workers Region 1 on
behalf of workers at Meridian Automotive Systems, Lapeer
Operations, Lapeer, Michigan. The workers produced plastic interior
components for automobiles.
Investigation findings revealed that the subject plant
experienced declines in sales, production and levels of employment.
The investigation also showed that the subject firm has
increased its imports of plastic interior components for
automobiles.
A petition for NAFTA Transitional Adjustment Assistance was
filed on behalf of workers at the subject firm (NAFTA 4731). A
certification in that case was issued on May 23, 2001.
Conclusion
After careful review of the facts obtained in the investi-
gation, I conclude that increases of imports of articles like or
directly competitive with those produced by Meridian Automotive
Systems, Lapeer Operations, Lapeer, Michigan, contributed
importantly to the decline in sales and production and to the total
or partial separation of workers of the subject firm. In
accordance with the provisions of the Act, I make the following
certification:
"All workers at Meridian Automotive Systems, Lapeer
Operations, Lapeer, Michigan, who became totally or
partially separated from employment on or after April 4,
2000, 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 19th day of June 2001.

/s/ Edward A. Tomchick

EDWARD A. TOMCHICK
Director,
Division of Trade Adjustment Assistance