DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Employment and Training Administration
TA-W-53,514

ART LEATHER MANUFACTURING CO, INC.
ELMHURST, NEW YORK

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, 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 (a)(2)(B) of
Section 222 have been met.
The investigation was initiated on November 13, 2003, in
response to a petition filed by a company official on behalf of
workers of Art Leather Manufacturing Co., Inc., Elmhurst, New York.
The workers at the subject facility produce albums, folios,
inserts, and mats; they are not separately identifiable by product
line.
The investigation revealed that employment at the subject
facility declined absolutely from 2002 to January through September
2003.
Furthermore, the investigation revealed that the subject
facility shifted production of albums, folios, inserts, and mats
from Elmhurst, New York to a country (Mexico) that is a party to a
free trade agreement with the United States.
In addition, 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 do not possess skills that are 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 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 Art Leather Manufacturing Co., Inc., Elmhurst,
New York who became totally or partially separated from
employment on or after October 29, 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 24th day of November 2003.



/s/ Linda G. Poole

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