DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-51,104

JOHNSTOWN LEATHER CORPORATION
JOHNSTOWN, NEW YORK

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 its 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 (a)(2)(A) of
Section 222 have been met.
The investigation was initiated on March 7, 2003 in response
to a petition filed by the Union of Needletrades, Industrial and
Textile Employees (UNITE), Local 1712, on behalf of workers of
Johnstown Leather Corporation, Johnstown, New York. The workers at
the subject firm produced tanned, beamed, and colored leather.
The investigation revealed that production and employment at
the subject firm decreased from 2001 to 2002. The subject firm
closed on November 30, 2002.
The investigation further revealed that the subject firm did
not import tanned, beamed, and colored leather or shift production
of tanned, beamed, and colored leather to a foreign country.
The Department of Labor surveyed the subject firm's major
declining customer regarding its purchases of tanned, beamed, and
colored leather. This survey revealed increases in imports of
tanned, beamed, and colored leather during the period under
investigation.



Conclusion
After careful review of the facts obtained in the
investigation, I conclude that increases of imports of articles
like or directly competitive with tanned, beamed, and colored
leather produced at Johnstown Leather Corporation, Johnstown, New
York contributed importantly to the total or partial separation of
workers and to the decline in sales or production and at that firm
or subdivision. In accordance with the provisions of the Act, I
make the following certification:
"All workers of Johnstown Leather Corporation, Johnstown, New
York who became totally or partially separated from employment
on or after February 26, 2002 through two years from the date
of certification are eligible to apply for adjustment assis-
tance under Section 223 of the Trade Act of 1974."
Signed in Washington, D. C. this 9th day of April, 2003.


/s/ Linda G. Poole

______________________________
LINDA G. POOLE
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance