DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-50,987

ENVIRONMENTAL TEXTILES
CLAREMONT, OKLAHOMA

Certification Regarding Eligibility
To Apply for Worker Adjustment Assistance

In accordance with Section 223 of the Trade Act of 1974, as
amended (19 USC 2273), the Department of Labor herein presents the
results of an investigation regarding certification of eligibility
to apply for worker adjustment assistance.
In order to make an affirmative determination and issue a
certification of eligibility to apply for Trade Adjustment
Assistance, the group eligibility requirements in either paragraph
(a)(2)(A) or (a)(2)(B) of Section 222 of the Trade Act must be met.
It is determined in this case that the requirements of both
(a)(2)(A) and (a)(2)(B) of Section 222 have been met.
The investigation was initiated in response to a petition
received on February 26, 2003 and filed on behalf of workers at
Environmental Textiles, Claremont, Oklahoma. The workers were
engaged in the production of moving blankets, cotton scraps and
incontinence straps.
Employment at the subject plant declined during the period
covered by this investigation, and the subject firm has been
engaged in a shift in plant production to a country (Mexico) that
is a party to a free trade agreement with the United States.
The Department of Labor surveyed major customers of the
subject firm regarding their purchases of products like those
manufactured by the subject firm in 2001-2002 and the first quarter
of 2003. Results of the survey indicated that a major customer
reduced purchases from the subject firm and increased imports in
the relevant period.
Conclusion
After careful review of the facts obtained in the
investigation, I determine that increases in imports contributed
importantly to separations at the subject firm, and that there was
a shift in production from the workers firm or subdivision to
Mexico of articles that are like or directly competitive with those
produced by the subject firm or subdivision. In accordance with the
provisions of the Act, I make the following certification:
"All workers of Environmental Textiles, Claremont, Oklahoma,
who became totally or partially separated from employment on
or after February 25, 2002, 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 28th day of May 2003

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