DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-52,490

VERNON PLASTICS
A WHOLLY-OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF THE IMPERIAL HOME DÉCOR GROUP
INCLUDING LEASED WORKERS FROM AGENTRY
HAVERHILL, MASSACHUSSETS

Certification Regarding Eligibility
To Apply For Worker Adjustment Assistance and
Negative Determination Regarding Eligibility To Apply For
Alternative Trade Adjustment Assistance

In accordance with Section 223 of the Trade Act of 1974 (19
USC 2273), 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 August 8, 2003 in response
to a petition filed by New England Joint Board, Union of
Needletrades, Industrial and Textile Employees, Local 1296-T on
behalf of workers at Vernon Plastics, Inc., Haverhill,
Massachusetts. Workers at the subject facility produced sheet
vinyl.


The investigation revealed that sales, production and
employment at the subject facility declined absolutely when the
subject facility ceased production on July 15, 2003.
The investigation also revealed that the subject facility
leased some of its production workers from Agentry in Haverhill,
Massachusetts.
The Department of Labor surveyed the subject facility's major
declining customers regarding their purchases of sheet vinyl. This
survey revealed increases in imports of sheet vinyl during the
period of January through August 2003.
In addition, in accordance with Section 246 the Trade Act of
1974 (26 USC 2813), as amended, the Department of Labor herein
presents the results of its investigation regarding certification
of eligibility to apply for alternative trade adjustment assistance
(ATAA) for older workers.
The group eligibility criteria for the ATAA program

that the Department must consider under Section 246 of the

Trade Act are:
1. Whether a significant number of workers in the workers'
firm are 50 years of age or older.
2. Whether the workers in the workers' firm possess skills
that are not easily transferable.
3. The competitive conditions within the workers' industry
(i.e., conditions within the industry are adverse).
The Department has determined that criterion (2) has not been
met.
The investigation revealed that the skills of the worker group
are easily transferable to other positions in the local area.
Conclusion
After careful review of the facts obtained in the
investigation, I determine that increases of imports of articles
like or directly competitive with sheet vinyl produced at Vernon
Plastics, a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Imperial Home Décor
Group, Haverhill, Massachusetts 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 Vernon Plastics, Inc., a wholly-owned
subsidiary of The Imperial House Décor Group, Haverhill,
Massachusetts, and leased workers of Agentry, producing sheet
vinyl at Vernon Plastics, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of
The Imperial House Décor Group, Haverhill, Massachusetts, who
became totally or partially separated from employment on or
after August 7, 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;"
and




I further determine that all workers of Vernon Plastics,
Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Imperial Home Décor Group,
Haverhill, Massachusetts, are denied eligibility to apply for
alternative trade adjustment assistance under Section 246 of the
Trade Act of 1974."
Signed in Washington, D. C. this 25th day of September 2003.


/s/ Linda G. Poole
______________________________
LINDA G. POOLE
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance