DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-52,794

PRACTICE PARTNER INC.
GOLDSBORO, NORTH CAROLINA

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)(B) of
Section 222 have been met.
The investigation was initiated September 11, 2003 in response
to a petition filed by a company official on behalf of workers of
Practice Partner Inc., Goldsboro, North Carolina. The workers at
the subject firm produced sporting good products; they are not
separately identifiable by product line.
The investigation revealed that employment at the subject
division decreased absolutely from 2001 to 2002 and during the
period of January through August 2003 when compared to the same
period in 2002.
Furthermore, the investigation revealed that the preponderance
of declines in employment at the subject firm is related to a shift
in production of sporting goods from Goldsboro, North Carolina to
China.
Moreover, the investigation revealed that imports of sporting
goods have increased during the relevant period.
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 1 has not been
met.
The investigation revealed that a significant number of
workers in the workers' firm are not 50 years of age or older.
Conclusion
After careful review of the facts obtained in the
investigation, I determine that increases of imports of articles
like or directly competitive those produced at the subject division
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 Practice Partner Inc., Goldsboro, North
Carolina who became totally or partially separated from employment
on or after September 3, 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."
I further determine that all workers of Practice Partner Inc.,
Goldsboro, North Carolina 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 8th day of October 2003.

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