The Federal Register

Class Exemption for the Release of Claims and Extensions of Credit in Connection With Litigation

Wed, Dec 31 2003 11:00:00 GMT

This document contains a final class exemption from certain prohibited transaction restrictions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA or the Act) and from certain taxes imposed by the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code). The exemption permits transactions engaged in by a plan, in connection with the settlement of litigation. This exemption was proposed in response to concerns raised by the pension community regarding the impact of ERISA's prohibited transaction provisions on the settlement of litigation by employee benefit plans with parties in interest. The exemption affects all employee benefit plans, the participants and beneficiaries of such plans, and parties in interest with respect to those plans engaging in the described transactions.

Allegheny Ludlum Corporation, Brackenridge Works, Brackenridge, PA

Wed, Dec 31 2003 11:00:00 GMT

Notice of Termination of Investigation Pursuant to Section 221 of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended, an investigation was initiated on November 17, 2003 in response to a petition filed by a company official on behalf of workers at Allegheny Ludlum Corporation, Brackenridge Works, Brackenridge, Pennsylvania.

The petitioning group of workers is covered by an earlier petition instituted on November 14, 2003 (TAW53,538) that is the subject of an ongoing investigation for which a determination has not yet been issued. Further investigation in this case would duplicate efforts and serve no purpose; therefore the investigation under this petition has been terminated.

Signed at Washington, DC this 19th day of November, 2003. Linda G. Poole,
Certifying Officer, Division of Trade Adjustment Assistance. [FR Doc. 0331982 Filed 123003; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 451030P

EHV-Weidmann Industries, Inc., a Subsidiary of Wicor Americas, St. Johnsbury, Vermont; and Weidmann Systems

Wed, Dec 31 2003 11:00:00 GMT

In accordance with section 223 of the Trade Act of 1974 (19 U.S.C. 2273) the Department of Labor issued a Notice of Certification Regarding Eligibility to Apply for Worker Adjustment Assistance on November 25, 2002, applicable to workers of EHVWeidmann Industries, Inc., a subsidiary of Wicor Americas, St. Johnsbury, Vermont. The notice was published in the Federal Register on December 23, 2002 (67 FR 78258).

At the request of the company, the Department reviewed the certification for workers of the subject firm. The workers are engaged in the production of electrical insulation boards and components.

Information from the company shows that worker separations occurred at Weidmann Systems International, St. Johnsbury, Vermont a sister company of the subject firm. Workers at Weidmann Systems International, Inc. provide sales and customer services supporting the production of electrical insulation boards and components at the subject firm.

Based on these findings, the Department is am

Fishing Vessel (F/V) Exception, Homer, Alaska; Notice of Termination of Investigation

Wed, Dec 31 2003 11:00:00 GMT

Pursuant to Section 221 of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended, an investigation was initiated on November 12, 2003 in response to a petition filed by a company official on behalf of workers of F/V Exception, Homer, Alaska.

The petition regarding the investigation has been deemed invalid. In order to establish a valid worker group, there must be at least three fulltime workers employed at some point during the period under investigation. Workers of the group subject to this investigation did not meet this threshold level of employment. Consequently, the investigation has been terminated.

Signed at Washington, DC this 17th day of November 2003. Linda G. Poole,
Certifying Officer, Division of Trade Adjustment Assistance. [FR Doc. 0331983 Filed 123003; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 451030P

Fishing Vessel (F/V) Patricia Diann, Cordova, Alaska; Notice of Termination of Investigation

Wed, Dec 31 2003 11:00:00 GMT

Pursuant to section 221 of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended, an investigation was initiated on November 3, 2003, in response to a petition filed by a company official on behalf of workers of Fishing Vessel (F/V) Patricia Diann, Cordova, Alaska.

The investigation revealed that the subject firm did not separate or threaten to separate a significant number or proportion of workers as required by section 222 of the Trade Act of 1974. Significant number or proportion of the workers means that at least three workers in a firm with a workforce of fewer than 50 workers would have to be affected. Separations by the subject firm did not meet this threshold level; consequently the investigation has been terminated.

Signed at Washington, DC this 18th day of November 2003. Linda G. Poole,
Certifying Officer, Division of Trade Adjustment Assistance. [FR Doc. 0331985 Filed 123003; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 451030P

Harting, Inc. of North America, Elgin, Illinois; Including an Employee of Harting, Inc. of North America, Located in

Wed, Dec 31 2003 11:00:00 GMT

In accordance with section 223 of the Trade Act of 1974 (19 U.S.C. 2273) the Department of Labor issued a Certification of Eligibility to Apply for Worker Adjustment Assistance on March 5, 2003, applicable to workers of Harting, Inc. of North America, Elgin, Illinois. The notice was published in the Federal Register on March 19, 2003 (68 FR 13332).

At the request of the State agency, the Department reviewed the certification for workers of the subject firm. New information shows that a worker was separated involving an employee of the Elgin, Illinois facility of Harting, Inc. of North America located in California. This employee provided technical support services for the production of cable assemblies at an affiliated facility Harting Manufacturing, Inc., Elgin, Illinois.

Based on these findings, the Department is amending this certification to include an employee of the Elgin, Illinois facility of Harting, Inc. of North American, located in California.

The intent of the Departme

L.S. Starrett Company, Inc., Alum Bank, Pennsylvania; Notice of Termination of Investigation

Wed, Dec 31 2003 11:00:00 GMT

Pursuant to section 221 of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended, an investigation was initiated on October 24, 2003 in response to a petition filed on behalf of workers of L.S. Starrett Company, Inc., Alum Bank, Pennsylvania.

Signed at Washington, DC this 17th day of November 2003. Linda G. Poole,
Certifying Officer, Division of Trade Adjustment Assistance. [FR Doc. 0331987 Filed 123003; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 451030P

Paper Converting Machine Company, Green Bay, Wisconsin; Amended Certification Regarding Eligibility To Apply for

Wed, Dec 31 2003 11:00:00 GMT

In accordance with section 223 of the Trade Act of 1974 (19 U.S.C. 2273), and
[[Page 75642]]
under section 246 of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended, the Department of Labor issued a Certification of Eligibility to Apply for Worker Adjustment Assistance and Alternative Trade Adjustment Assistance on September 11, 2003, applicable to workers of Paper Converting Machine Company located in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The notice was published in the Federal Register on October 10, 2003 (68 FR 58720).

At the request of the State Agency, the Department reviewed the certification for workers of the subject firm. The workers produce paper converting machinery.

The review shows that all workers of Paper Converting Machine Company, Green Bay, Wisconsin, were certified eligible to apply for adjustment assistance under TAW39,100, which does not expire until January 18, 2004.

Therefore, in order to avoid an overlap in worker group coverage, the Department is amending the August 14, 2002 impact date e

Paradise Fisheries, Kodiak, AK; Dismissal of Application for Reconsideration

Wed, Dec 31 2003 11:00:00 GMT

Pursuant to 29 CFR 90.18(C) an application for administrative reconsideration was filed with the Director of the Division of Trade Adjustment Assistance for workers at Paradise Fisheries, Kodiak, Alaska. The application contained no new substantial information which would bear importantly on the Department's determination. Therefore, dismissal of the application was issued.
TAW51,595; Paradise Fisheries, Kodiak, Alaska (August 7, 2003).

Signed at Washington, DC this 28th day of November, 2003. Timothy Sullivan,
Director, Division of Trade Adjustment Assistance.
[FR Doc. 0331981 Filed 123003; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 451030M

Tietex International, Ltd, Rocky Mount Plant, Spartanburg, South Carolina; Notice of Termination of Investigation

Wed, Dec 31 2003 11:00:00 GMT

Pursuant to section 221 of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended, an investigation was initiated on October 28, 2003 in response to a worker petition filed on behalf of workers at Tietex International, LTD, Rocky Mount Plant, Spartanburg, South Carolina.

Further review of the petition and information provided by one of the petitioners, finds that the Rocky Mount Plant is in Rocky Mount, North Carolina, not Spartanburg, South Carolina. Workers of Tietex International, LTD, Rocky Mount Plant, Rocky Mount, Virginia, are covered under an existing certification to apply for trade adjustment assistance, petition number TAW53,273. Consequently, further investigation in this case would serve no purpose, and the investigation has been terminated.

Signed at Washington, DC this 17th day of November, 2003. Linda G. Poole,
Certifying Officer, Division of Trade Adjustment Assistance. [FR Doc. 0331986 Filed 123003; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 451030P

Weidmann Systems International, Inc., St. Johnsbury, Vermont; Notice of Termination of Investigation

Wed, Dec 31 2003 11:00:00 GMT

Pursuant to section 221 of the Trade Act of 1974, an investigation was initiated on November 7, 2003 in response to a worker petition which was filed on behalf of workers at Weidmann Systems International, Inc., St, Johnsbury, Vermont.

An active certification covering the petitioning group of workers is already in effect (TAW42,222A, as amended). Consequently, further investigation in this case would serve no purpose, and the investigation has been terminated.

Signed in Washington, DC this 25th day of November 2003. Elliott S. Kushner,
Certifying Officer, Division of Trade Adjustment Assistance. [FR Doc. 0331984 Filed 123003; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 451030P

York International Corporation, York, Pennsylvania; Amended Certification Regarding Eligibility To Apply for Worker

Wed, Dec 31 2003 11:00:00 GMT

In accordance with section 223 of the Trade Act of 1974 (19 U.S.C. 2273) the Department of Labor issued a Certification of Eligibility to Apply for Worker Adjustment Assistance on October 30, 2003, applicable to workers of York International Corporation located in York, Pennsylvania. The notice was published in the Federal Register on November 28, 2003 (68 FR 66880).

At the request of the petitioner, the Department reviewed the certification for workers of the subject firm producing industrial large tonnage chillers.

The review shows that the Department inadvertently omitted its findings regarding worker group eligibility to apply for Alternative Trade Adjustment Assistance under section 246 of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended. 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 determined in this case that the requirements of Section 246 were met.

Workforce Investment Act--Indian and Native American Employment and Training Programs; Solicitation for Grant

Wed, Dec 31 2003 11:00:00 GMT

Announcement Type: New. Notice of final designation procedures for grantees.

Funding Opportunity Number: SGA/DFA04100.

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 17.265.

Key Dates: Deadline for Notice of Intent Part AJanuary 30, 2004. I. Funding Opportunity Description

Section 166 of the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) authorizes programs to serve the employment and training needs of Indians and Native Americans through competitive award by the Department of Labor (DOL) of twoyear grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements with Indian tribes, tribal organizations, Alaska Native entities, Indian controlled organizations serving Indians, or Native Hawaiian organizations. See section 166, Public Law 105220 as amended, codified at 29 U.S.C. 2911. Special employment and training services for Indian and Native American people were previously provided under the Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA) Section 401 and its predecessor, Section 302 of the Comprehensive Employment a

Respiratory Protection for M. Tuberculosis

Wed, Dec 31 2003 11:00:00 GMT

OSHA is revoking ``Respiratory Protection for M. Tuberculosis'' (29 CFR 1910.139) which is simply a recodification of OSHA's 1971 General Industry Respiratory Protection standard that was revised in 1998. At the time of the revision of the 1971 standard, OSHA decided that, because its proposed standard for occupational exposure to TB, published three months earlier, included a comprehensive respiratory protection provision, the Agency would allow compliance with the previous respirator standard for TB protection until completion of the TB rulemaking. Thus, pending conclusion of the TB rulemaking, OSHA redesignated the old Respiratory Protection Standard in a new section entitled ``Respiratory Protection for M.
tuberculosis''. However, in a document published elsewhere in this separate part of the Federal Register, OSHA is today withdrawing its proposed TB standard. Because this withdrawal concludes the TB rulemaking, OSHA is revoking the redesignated Respiratory Protection Standard, and will b

Occupational Exposure to 2-Methoxyethanol, 2-Ethoxyethanol and Their Acetates (Glycol Ethers)

Wed, Dec 31 2003 11:00:00 GMT

OSHA is withdrawing its proposed standard on Occupational Exposure to 2Methoxyethanol (2ME), 2Ethoxyethanol (2EE), and their Acetates (2MEA, 2EEA) (four glycol ethers). Production and use of the four glycol ethers either have ceased or are virtually limited to ``closed systems'' where exposure levels more than 10 years ago already were at or below the proposed permissible exposure limits (PELs). Because there are few, if any, remaining opportunities for workplace exposure to these glycol ethers and little or no potential for exposure in the future because of the availability of lesstoxic substitutes, OSHA has concluded that the proposed rule is no longer necessary.

Occupational Exposure to Tuberculosis

Wed, Dec 31 2003 11:00:00 GMT

OSHA is withdrawing its 1997 proposed standard on Occupational Exposure to Tuberculosis (TB). Because of a broad range of Federal and community initiatives, the rate of TB has declined steadily and dramatically since OSHA began work on the proposal in 1993. Hospitals, which are the settings where workers are likely to have the highest risk of exposure to TB bacteria, have come into substantial compliance with Federal guidelines for preventing the transmission of TB. Overall reductions in TB mean that all workers are much less likely now to encounter infectious TB patients in the course of their jobs.

In addition, an OSHA standard is unlikely to result in a meaningful reduction of disease transmission caused by contact with the most significant remaining source of occupational risk: exposure to individuals with undiagnosed and unsuspected TB. Particularly outside of hospitals, workers often will not identify suspect TB cases quickly enough to implement isolation procedures and other precautio