3M Touch Systems, a Subsidiary of 3M Electro & Communication Division, Milwaukee, WI; Notice of Negative Determination on Reconsideration, 57684 [E8-23302]

Download as PDF 57684 Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 193 / Friday, October 3, 2008 / Notices [FR Doc. E8–23296 Filed 10–2–08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4510–FN–P DEPARTMENT OF LABOR worker adjustment assistance for workers and former workers of 3M Touch Systems, a subsidiary of 3M, Electro & Communications Division, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. [TA–W–63,640] 3M Touch Systems, a Subsidiary of 3M Electro & Communication Division, Milwaukee, WI; Notice of Negative Determination on Reconsideration Signed at Washington, DC, this 23rd day of September, 2008. Elliott S. Kushner, Certifying Officer, Division of Trade Adjustment Assistance. [FR Doc. E8–23302 Filed 10–2–08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4510–FN–P mstockstill on PROD1PC66 with NOTICES Employment and Training Administration On August 1, 2008, the Department issued an Affirmative Determination Regarding Application for Reconsideration for the workers and former workers of the subject firm. The notice was published in the Federal Register on August 12, 2008 (73 FR 46920). The initial investigation resulted in a negative determination based on the finding that imports of touch screens for mobile phones did not contribute importantly to worker separations at the subject firm and no shift of production to a foreign source occurred. In the request for reconsideration the company official provided an additional list of customers who purchased touch screens from the subject firm. On reconsideration the Department of Labor surveyed these customers regarding their purchases of touch screens (including like or directly competitive products) during 2006, 2007, and January through June 2008 over the corresponding 2007 period. The survey revealed no imports of touch screens during the relevant period. The petitioner also stated that workers of the subject firm were previously certified eligible for TAA. The petitioner further states that if the subject firm ‘‘did not attempt to re-position the business and instead, close entirely in 2007, all the employees would have been eligible for TAA.’’ The petitioner seems to allege that because workers of the subject firm were previously certified eligible for TAA, the workers of the subject firm should be granted another TAA certification. When assessing eligibility for TAA, the Department exclusively considers import impact during the relevant time period (from one year prior to the date of the petition). Therefore, events occurring before 2007 are outside of the relevant period and are not relevant in this investigation. Conclusion After reconsideration, I affirm the original notice of negative determination of eligibility to apply for VerDate Aug<31>2005 23:33 Oct 02, 2008 Jkt 217001 DEPARTMENT OF LABOR Employment and Training Administration [TA–W–63,502] Onsite International Inc., El Paso, TX; Notice of Negative Determination Regarding Application for Reconsideration By application of July 28, 2008, a petitioner requested administrative reconsideration of the Department’s negative determination regarding eligibility to apply for Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA), applicable to workers and former workers of the subject firm. The denial notice was signed on July 7, 2008, and published in the Federal Register on July 28, 2008 (73 FR 43790). Pursuant to 29 CFR 90.18(c), reconsideration may be granted under the following circumstances: (1) If it appears on the basis of facts not previously considered that the determination complained of was erroneous; (2) If it appears that the determination complained of was based on a mistake in the determination of facts not previously considered; or (3) If in the opinion of the Certifying Officer, a misinterpretation of facts or of the law justified reconsideration of the decision. The petition for the workers of Onsite International, Inc., El Paso, Texas engaged in administrative functions was denied because the petitioning workers did not produce an article within the meaning of Section 222 of the Act. The workers of Onsite International Inc., El Paso, Texas were previously certified eligible to apply for TAA under petition number TA–W–55,702, which expired on October 13, 2006. The investigation revealed that production at the subject firm ceased in 2006. The petitioner contends that the Department erred in its interpretation of work performed at the subject facility and further conveys that workers of the subject company ‘‘handled all aspects of shipping, receiving, repairing, repacking PO 00000 Frm 00097 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 of the garments’’. The petitioner further states that the subject firm produced articles in the last three years and workers of the subject firm were previously certified eligible for TAA based on a shift in production to Mexico. The petitioner seems to allege that because the petitioning workers were part of the initial certified worker group and remained employed by the subject firm after all the production stopped and beyond October 13, 2006, the current worker group, who are engaged in distribution of articles, should be also eligible for TAA. A company official of the subject firm verified that production of articles was shifted from the subject firm to Mexico in 2004 and that no production took place at the subject firm since 2006. The official further clarified that workers of the subject firm remained to end programs and dispose of the assets after all production ceased. The investigation revealed that the subject facility did not manufacture articles since January 2006, when production shifted to Mexico. Although a small amount of cutting continued until early 2007, workers of the subject firm were not engaged in production of an article or supporting production of the article during the relevant time period. Under the Trade Act of 1974, as amended, certification of group eligibility to apply for TAA will be issued where a shift of production is the alleged basis for certification provided that (1) a significant number or proportion of the workers of such workers’ firm, or an appropriate subdivision, have been totally or partially separated or are threatened to become totally or partially separated; and (2) there has been a shift in production from the workers’ firm or subdivision to an eligible foreign country of articles like or directly competitive with those produced by the subject firm or subdivision under section 222(a)(2)(B)(i); and, either the foreign country is a party to a free trade agreement with the United States under section 222(a)(2)(B)(ii)(I), is a beneficiary country under section 222(a)(2)(B)(ii)(II), or there has been or is likely to be an increase in imports of like or directly competitive articles. The Department interprets the standard for certification as requiring that the shift of production of an article to a foreign country must be a cause of the separations of workers of the firm that were engaged in or supported the production of that article. That the subject workers were not separated, or threatened with separation, until January 31, 2008 (two E:\FR\FM\03OCN1.SGM 03OCN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 193 (Friday, October 3, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Page 57684]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-23302]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

[TA-W-63,640]


3M Touch Systems, a Subsidiary of 3M Electro & Communication 
Division, Milwaukee, WI; Notice of Negative Determination on 
Reconsideration

    On August 1, 2008, the Department issued an Affirmative 
Determination Regarding Application for Reconsideration for the workers 
and former workers of the subject firm. The notice was published in the 
Federal Register on August 12, 2008 (73 FR 46920).
    The initial investigation resulted in a negative determination 
based on the finding that imports of touch screens for mobile phones 
did not contribute importantly to worker separations at the subject 
firm and no shift of production to a foreign source occurred.
    In the request for reconsideration the company official provided an 
additional list of customers who purchased touch screens from the 
subject firm.
    On reconsideration the Department of Labor surveyed these customers 
regarding their purchases of touch screens (including like or directly 
competitive products) during 2006, 2007, and January through June 2008 
over the corresponding 2007 period. The survey revealed no imports of 
touch screens during the relevant period.
    The petitioner also stated that workers of the subject firm were 
previously certified eligible for TAA. The petitioner further states 
that if the subject firm ``did not attempt to re-position the business 
and instead, close entirely in 2007, all the employees would have been 
eligible for TAA.'' The petitioner seems to allege that because workers 
of the subject firm were previously certified eligible for TAA, the 
workers of the subject firm should be granted another TAA 
certification.
    When assessing eligibility for TAA, the Department exclusively 
considers import impact during the relevant time period (from one year 
prior to the date of the petition). Therefore, events occurring before 
2007 are outside of the relevant period and are not relevant in this 
investigation.

Conclusion

    After reconsideration, I affirm the original notice of negative 
determination of eligibility to apply for worker adjustment assistance 
for workers and former workers of 3M Touch Systems, a subsidiary of 3M, 
Electro & Communications Division, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

    Signed at Washington, DC, this 23rd day of September, 2008.
Elliott S. Kushner,
Certifying Officer, Division of Trade Adjustment Assistance.
[FR Doc. E8-23302 Filed 10-2-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-FN-P

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