DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-53,869

FLORDIA TILE INDUSTRIES
LAKELAND, FLORIDA

Certification Regarding Eligibility
To Apply for Worker 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 December 23, 2003 in response
to a petition filed by the State TAA Coordinator on behalf of
workers at Florida Tile Industries, Lakeland, Florida. The workers
produce ceramic tile products.
The investigation revealed that sales, production and
employment at the subject firm declined during the relevant period
of the investigation.
The investigation also revealed that the subject firm imports
a minor portion of the tile it sells; this portion increased
slightly in 2003.
United States imports, denoted in quantity, of ceramic floor
and wall tile represented over three-fourths of production sold in
the U.S. in 2001. This ratio increased in 2002 and further
increased in the first half of 2003.
The value of U.S. imports of glazed ceramic paving and wall
tiles increased by 11.7 percent in January through November 2003
compared with the same period one year earlier.
The Department of Labor surveyed major customers of the
subject firm regarding their purchases of ceramic tile products in
2002 and 2003. Respondents reported increasing reliance on
imported tiles in the relevant periods.
Conclusion
After careful review of the facts obtained in the
investigation, I conclude that increases of imports of articles
like or directly competitive with ceramic tile products produced at
Florida Tile Industries, Lakeland, Florida 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 Florida Tile Industries, Lakeland, Florida who
became totally or partially separated from employment on or
after December 19, 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."
Signed in Washington, D. C., this 5th day of February 2004.

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