DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-41,356

ASPEN TRAILER, INC.
LITCHFIELD, MINNESOTA

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 in response to a petition
received on April 22, 2002 and filed on behalf of workers at
Aspen Trailer, Inc., Litchfield, Minnesota. The workers are
engaged in the production of heavy haul trailers.
The investigation revealed that criterion (3) has not been
met.
The layoffs at the subject firm are primarily attributed to
the company's decision to shift all production of heavy haul
trailers from Litchfield, Minnesota to a foreign country.
A NAFTA Transitional Adjustment Assistance petition has been
filed on behalf of workers at the subject firm (NAFTA 6021).
Conclusion
After careful review, I determine that all workers at Aspen
Trailer, Inc., Litchfield, Minnesota, engaged in employment
related to the production of heavy haul trailers, are denied
eligibility to apply for adjustment assistance under Section 223
of the Trade Act of 1974.

Signed in Washington, D.C. this 24th day of May, 2002.


/s/ Linda G. Poole
______________________________
LINDA G. POOLE
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance