DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-53,028

BIC CORPORATION
LIGHTERS DIVISION
GAFFNEY, SOUTH CAROLINA

Certification Regarding Eligibility
To Apply for Worker Adjustment Assistance and
Alternative Trade 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 September 26, 2003, in
response to a petition filed by a company official on behalf of
workers of BIC Corporation, Lighters Division, Gaffney, South
Carolina. The workers produce utility lighters and are
separately identifiable by product line.
The investigation revealed that sales and production
declined at the subject firm from 2001 to 2002 and also from
January through September 2003 when compared to the same time
period in 2002. Employment declined absolutely on October 1,
2003.
The investigation also revealed that company imports of
utility lighters increased at the subject firm from January
through September 2003 when compared to the same time period in
2002.
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.
In order for the Department to issue a certification of
eligibility to apply for ATAA, the group eligibility
requirements of Section 246 of the Trade Act must be met. The
Department has determined in this case that the requirements of
Section 246 have been met.
A significant number of workers at the firm are age 50 or
over and possess skills that are not easily transferable.
Competitive conditions within the industry are adverse.




Conclusion
After careful review of the facts obtained in the
investigation, I determine that increases of imports of articles
like or directly competitive with utility lighters produced at
BIC Corporation, Lighters Division, Gaffney, South Carolina
contributed importantly to the total or partial separation of
workers and to the decline in sales or production at that firm
or subdivision.
In accordance with the provisions of the Act, I make the
following certification:
"Workers of BIC Corporation, Lighters Division, Gaffney,
South Carolina, engaged in employment related to the
production of utility lighters who became totally or
partially separated from employment on or after September
23, 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 are also eligible
to apply for alternative trade adjustment assistance under
Section 246 of the Trade Act of 1974."
Signed in Washington, D. C. this 4th day of November, 2003.

/s/ Linda G. Poole


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