DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-40,400

MERIDIAN AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS
CENTRALIA, ILLINOIS

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 December 10, 2001 in
response to a petition filed by United Auto Workers, Local 1766 on
behalf of workers at Meridian Automotive Systems, Centralia,
Illinois. Workers of the subject firm produced fiberglass
automobile parts for Volkswagen and General Motors. Workers are
separately identifiable by product line.
The investigation revealed that criterion (3) has not been
met.
The investigation revealed that the subject firm did not
increase imports of fiberglass automobile parts during the relevant
period.
A petition for eligibility to apply for NAFTA-Transitional
Adjustment Assistance has been filed by United Auto Workers, Local
1766 on behalf of workers at the subject firm (NAFTA-5630).
Conclusion
After careful review, I determine that all workers at Meridian
Automotive Systems, Centralia, Illinois engaged in employment
related to the production of Volkswagen and General Motors
fiberglass automobile parts, are denied eligibility to apply for
adjustment assistance under Section 223 of the Trade Act of 1974.
Signed in Washington, D.C. this 7th day of May, 2002.


/s/ Linda G. Poole

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