DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-50,005

BOTTOMS GROUP, INC.
AUBURN, MAINE


Certification Regarding Eligibility to Apply for
Worker Adjustment Assistance

In accordance with Section 223 of the Trade Act of 1974 (19 USC
2273), as amended, the Department of Labor herein presents the
results of an investigation regarding certification of eligibility
to apply for worker adjustment assistance as a secondarily affected
worker group.
The investigation was initiated in response to a petition
received on November 5, 2002 and filed by the company official on
behalf of workers at Bottoms Group, Inc., Auburn, Maine. The
workers produce polyurethane shoe soles.
The investigation revealed that Bottoms Group, Inc., Auburn,
Maine produces polyurethane shoe soles, and at least 20 percent
of its production or sales is supplied to manufacturers of
footwear.
Evidence revealed that Dexter Shoe, Dexter, Maine, to whom
the petitioning workers' firm supplied polyurethane shoe soles,
employed a group of workers who received a certification of
eligibility for adjustment assistance, and such supply or
production is related to the article that was the basis for such
certification. Dexter Shoe increased import purchases of shoes
while reducing purchases of polyurethane shoe soles from the
petitioning workers' firm. The subject firm's employment
declined, in part, because of the increased imports. Workers of
Dexter Shoe, Dexter, Maine were certified as eligible to apply
for Trade Adjustment Assistance benefits on February 25, 2002
(TA-W-40,377).
Conclusion
After careful review of the facts obtained in the
investigation, I determine that workers of Bottoms Group, Inc.,
Auburn, Maine qualify as adversely affected secondary workers under
Section 222 of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended. In accordance
with the provisions of the Act, I make the following certification:
"All workers of Bottoms Group, Inc., Auburn, Maine who became
totally or partially separated from employment on or after
November 4, 2001, through two years from the date of
certification are eligible to apply for adjustment assistance
under Section 223 of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended"

Signed in Washington, D.C. this 6th day of December 2002


/s/Richard Church
RICHARD CHURCH
Certifying Officer, Division
Of Trade Adjustment Assistance