DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-42,165

WIRTZ MANUFACTURING COMPANY
PORT HURON, MICHIGAN

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 September 23, 2002 in
response to a petition filed on behalf of workers at Wirtz
Manufacturing Company, Port Huron, Michigan. Workers produce
manufacturing equipment used to make lead acid batteries.
The investigation revealed that criterion (3) has not been
met.
The investigation revealed that the subject company does not
import manufacturing equipment used to make lead acid batteries.
A significant portion of sales are exported and thus not
affected by imports.
The Department of Labor conducted a survey of the subject
company's major customers regarding their purchases during the
time periods 2000, 2001, January-September 2001, and January-
September 2002. The survey revealed respondents did not increase
import purchases while reducing purchases from the subject firm.
Conclusion
After careful review, I determine that all workers of Wirtz
Manufacturing Company, Port Huron, Michigan, are denied eligi-
bility to apply for adjustment assistance under Section 223 of
the Trade Act of 1974.
Signed in Washington, D.C. this 8th day of November 2002.

/s/ Richard Church

______________________________
RICHARD CHURCH
Certifying Officer, Division
of Trade Adjustment Assistance