[Federal Register: April 11, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 71)]
[Notices]               
[Page 19902]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr11ap08-100]                         

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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

[TA-W-62,702]

 
Merix Corporation Including On-Site Leased Workers From Kelly 
Services Wood Village, Oregon; Notice of Revised Determination on 
Reconsideration

    By application postmarked March 18, 2008 a petitioner requested 
administrative reconsideration of the Department's negative 
determination regarding eligibility for workers and former workers of 
the subject firm to apply for Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) and 
Alternative Trade Adjustment Assistance (ATAA).
    The initial investigation resulted in a negative determination 
signed on March 4, 2008, was based on the finding that even though 
there was a shift in production from the subject firm to China, imports 
of inner layer panels that are used in the production of printed 
circuit boards did not contribute importantly to worker separations at 
the subject plant. The denial notice was published in the Federal 
Register on March 21, 2008 (73 FR 15218).
    In the request for reconsideration, the petitioner provided 
additional information regarding the subject firm's domestic production 
of inner layer panels for printed circuit boards and imports of these 
products into the United States.
    The Department contacted the company official to verify whether the 
subject firm imported inner layer panels upon shifting production of 
these products from the subject firm to China. The investigation on 
reconsideration revealed that the subject firm increased imports of 
inner layer panels from 2006 to 2007. It was also revealed that 
employment and sales of inner layer panels declined at Merix 
Corporation, Wood Village, Oregon during the relevant period.
    In accordance with Section 246 the Trade Act of 1974 (26 U.S.C. 
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 in this case 
that the requirements of Section 246 have been met.
    A significant number of workers at the firm 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 inner layer panels that are used 
in the production of printed circuit boards, produced by Merix 
Corporation, Wood Village, Oregon, contributed importantly to the total 
or partial separation of workers and to the decline in sales or 
production at that firm or subdivision. In accordance with the 
provisions of the Act, I make the following certification:

    All workers of Merix Corporation, including on-site leased 
workers from Kelly Services, Wood Village, Oregon, who became 
totally or partially separated from employment on or after January 
18, 2007, through two years from the date of this certification, are 
eligible to apply for adjustment assistance under Section 223 of the 
Trade Act of 1974, and are eligible to apply for alternative trade 
adjustment assistance under Section 246 of the Trade Act of 1974.

    Signed at Washington, DC, this 1st day of April, 2008.
Elliott S. Kushner,
Certifying Officer, Division of Trade Adjustment Assistance.
 [FR Doc. E8-7735 Filed 4-10-08; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4510-FN-P