DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-53,691

A.T. CROSS COMPANY
LINCOLN, RHODE ISLAND


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 December 3, 2003 in
response to a petition filed by a company official on
behalf of workers at A.T. Cross Company, Lincoln, Rhode
Island. The workers at the subject firm produced writing
instruments (pens, pencils and related accessories).
The preponderance in the declines in employment at the
subject firm is related to a shift in plant production of
writing instruments to foreign countries and subsequent
increase in imports following the shift abroad.
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 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 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 conclude that there was a shift in
production from the workers' firm to a foreign country of
articles that are like or directly competitive with those
produced by the subject firm or subdivision, and there has
been or is likely to be an increase in imports of like or
directly competitive articles. In accordance with the
provisions of the Act, I make the following certification:
"All workers of A.T. Cross Company, Lincoln, Rhode
Island who became totally or partially separated from
employment on or after November 25, 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 December, 2003.


/s/Elliott S. Kushner
_____________________________
ELLIOTT S. KUSHNER
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance