DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-55,581

WEST POINT FOUNDRY AND MACHINE COMPANY
WEST POINT, GEORGIA

Certification Regarding Eligibility
To Apply for Worker Adjustment Assistance and
Alternative Trade Adjustment Assistance

In accordance with Section 223 of the Trade Act of 1974, as
amended (19 USC 2273), 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 Trade Adjustment
Assistance, the group eligibility requirements in either paragraph
(a)(2)(A) or (a)(2)(B) of Section 222 of the Trade Act must be met.
It is determined in this case that the requirements of (a)(2)(A) of
Section 222 have been met.
The investigation was initiated in response to a petition
received on September 9, 2004, filed on behalf of workers at West
Point Foundry and Machine Company, West Point, Georgia. The
workers produce textile machinery.
The investigation revealed declines in employment, sales and
production at the subject facility during the period of January
through August 2004 when compared to the same period in 2003.


The investigation further revealed that the subject firm
increased its reliance on imported textile machinery during the
period of January through August 2004 when compared to the same
period in 2003.
In addition, in accordance with Section 246 the Trade Act of
1974 (26 USC 2813), as amended, the Department of Labor herein
presents the results of its investigation regarding certification
of eligibility to apply for alternative trade adjustment assistance
(ATAA) for older workers.
In order for the Department to issue a certification of
eligibility to apply for ATAA, the group eligibility requirements
of Section 246 of the Trade Act must be met. The Department has
determined that for West Point Foundry and Machine Company, West
Point, Georgia the requirements of Section 246 have been met.
A significant number of workers at the subject facilities are
age 50 or over and possess skills that are not easily
transferable. Competitive conditions within the industry are
adverse.



Conclusion
After careful review of the facts obtained in the
investigation, I determine that increases of imports of articles
like or directly competitive with textile machinery produced by the
subject firm or subdivision contributed importantly to the total or
partial separation of workers at West Point Foundry and Machine
Company, West Point, Georgia. In accordance with the provisions of
the Act, I make the following certification:
"All workers of West Point Foundry and Machine Company, West
Point, Georgia who became totally or partially separated from
employment on or after August 26, 2003 through two years from
the date of certification are eligible to apply for adjustment
assistance under Section 223 of the Trade Act of 1974, and are
also eligible to apply for alternative trade adjustment
assistance under Section 246 of the Trade Act of 1974."
Signed in Washington, D.C. this 8th day of October 2004.


/s/ Elliott S. Kushner
_____________________
ELLIOTT S. KUSHNER
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance