DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-39,570

TYROLIT NORTH AMERICA
WESTBORO, MASSACHUSETTS

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 July 2, 2001, filed by the United Auto Workers on behalf of workers at Tyrolit North America, Westboro, Massachusetts. The workers produced grinding wheels.
Investigation findings revealed that the subject plant experienced declines in sales, production, and levels of employment.

The Department conducted a survey of major declining customers of the subject firm regarding their purchases of grinding wheels in 1999, 2000 and January through August 2000 and 2001. The survey disclosed that customers have increased imports of grinding wheels while reducing purchases from the subject firm.
Workers of the subject firm were previously certified eligible to apply for trade adjustment assistance under TA-W-35,161, which expired February 1, 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 Tyrolit North America, Westboro, Massachusetts, contributed importantly to the decline in sales or 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 Tyrolit North America, Westboro, Massachusetts, who became totally or partially separated from employment on or after February 2, 2001, 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 14th day of December 2001.
/s/ Linda G. Poole
____________________________
LINDA G. POOLE
Certifying Officer
Division of Trade Adjustment Assistance