Petitioner Type: Company
Impact Date: 03/03/2003
Filed Date: 03/05/2004
Most Recent Update: 04/15/2004
Determination Date: 04/15/2004
Expiration Date: 04/15/2006
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Employment and Training Administration
TA-W-54,429
DECORIZE, INC.
SPRINGFIELD, MISSOURI
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 March 5, 2004 in
response to a petition filed by a company official on behalf of
workers at Decorize, Inc., Springfield, Missouri. The workers
at the subject firm produced wall art/home décor products.
The investigation revealed that sales and employment at the
subject firm decreased during the relevant period under
investigation.
The investigation further revealed that the subject firm
increased their imports of wall art/home décor products during
the relevant period.
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 determine that increases of imports of articles
like or directly competitive with wall art/home décor products
produced at Decorize, Inc., Springfield, Missouri 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:
"All workers of Decorize, Inc., Springfield, Missouri who
became totally or partially separated from employment on or
after March 3, 2003 through two years from the date of
certification are eligible to apply for adjustment assis-
tance 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 15th day of April, 2004.
/s/ Elliott S. Kushner
_____________________________
ELLIOTT S. KUSHNER
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance