NSK Corporation; Ann Arbor, MI; Notice of Revised Determination on Reconsideration, 19898 [E6-5765]

Agencies

• Employment and Training Administration
• DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 74 (Tuesday, April 18, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Page 19898]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-5765]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

[TA-W-58,405]


NSK Corporation; Ann Arbor, MI; Notice of Revised Determination 
on Reconsideration

    On February 1, 2006, the Department issued a Negative Determination 
Regarding Eligibility to Apply for Worker Adjustment Assistance and 
Alternative Trade Adjustment Assistance for the workers and former 
workers of NSK Corporation, Ann Arbor, Michigan. The Department's 
Notice of determination was published in the Federal Register on 
February 22, 2006 (71 FR 9161).
    The initial negative determination was based on the findings that 
the subject firm did not import ball bearings or shift ball bearing 
production overseas during the relevant period. The Department 
conducted a survey of the subject company's major customers regarding 
their purchases of ball bearings. The survey revealed no increases of 
ball bearing imports while reducing purchases from the subject firm. 
The investigation also revealed that the subject firm had scheduled a 
shift of production from the subject facility to another domestic 
production facility.
    By application dated March 21, 2006, the International Union, 
United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of 
America (UAW) requested administrative reconsideration by the 
Department.
    In the request for reconsideration, the UAW alleged that the 
subject firm had shifted production from NSK Corporation, Clarinda, 
Iowa to several overseas production facilities and that this shift of 
production had contributed significantly to worker separations at the 
subject facility.
    During the reconsideration investigation, the Department contacted 
a subject firm official who stated that the subject firm shifted 
bearing production overseas and that the foreign-produced bearings were 
returning to the United States. The official also stated that due to 
excess domestic production capacity, the subject facility was closing. 
Worker separations began October 2005 and will continue through 2007. 
The subject facility will be completely closed in 2007.
    The investigation also revealed that all criteria have been met in 
regard to Alternative Trade Adjustment Assistance (ATAA). A significant 
number or proportion of the worker group are age fifty years or over 
and workers possess skills that are not easily transferable. 
Competitive conditions within the industry are adverse.

Conclusion

    After careful review of the additional facts obtained on 
reconsideration, I conclude that increased imports of bearings like or 
directly competitive with those produced at the subject facility 
contributed importantly to worker separations at the subject firm.
    In accordance with the provisions of the Act, I make the following 
certification:

    ``All workers of NSK Corporation, Ann Arbor, Michigan who became 
totally or partially separated from employment on or after November 
18, 2004, 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 also eligible to apply for alternative 
trade adjustment assistance under Section 246 of the Trade Act of 
1974.''


    Signed in Washington, DC, this 11th day of April 2006.
Elliott S. Kushner,
Certifying Officer, Division of Trade Adjustment Assistance.
[FR Doc. E6-5765 Filed 4-17-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-30-P