Berliss Bearing Workers In Line For Aid(pic)

The U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) has received and accepted another petition for Trade Adjustment Assistance covering workers at Berliss Bearing Company in Livingston, New Jersey. EDA said it has initiated an investigation to determine whether, "increased imports into the U.S. of articles like or directly competitive with those produced by each firm contributed importantly to the total or partial separation of the firm's workers, or threat thereof, and to a decrease in sales or production of each petitioning firm." This is the second petition received for Berliss workers in the last year. In November 2005, the Department of Labor certified an October petition by the state of New Jersey, covering Berliss Bearing workers who were laid off in 2005. In that decision, the Labor investigation found, "employment at the Livingston facility declined in 2005 as a shift in production of roller bearings to China occurred. The company is increasing its imports in the relevant period." It continued: "All workers of Berliss Bearing Company, Livingston, New Jersey who became totally or partially separated from employment on or after September 27, 2004 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." Founded in 1930, Berliss manufactures inch-dimension solid race roller bearings, roller assemblies, two-piece units with casing and roller assembly, retainer seals, roller assemblies with split outer races -- steel or nylon cages, flanged roller bearings and drawn cup roller bearings. This new petition for Berliss workers will be decided by May 30, 2006.