DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-55,352

BIC CORPORATION
BIC CONSUMER PRODUCTS MANUFACTURING CO., INC.
BIC USA, INC.
MILFORD, CONNECTICUT

Amended 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) the Department of Labor issued a Certification of
Eligibility to Apply for Worker Adjustment Assistance and
Alternative Trade Adjustment Assistance on September 9, 2004,
applicable to workers of BIC Corporation, BIC Consumer Products
Manufacturing Co., Inc., Milford, Connecticut. The notice was
published in the Federal Register on October 8, 2004 (69 FR
60427).
At the request of the State agency, the Department reviewed
the certification for workers of the subject firm. The workers
are engaged in the production of stic pens and single blade
shavers and are not separately identifiable by product line.
New information shows that that some workers separated from
employment at the subject firm had their wages reported under a
separate unemployment insurance (UI) tax account for BIC USA,
Inc.


Accordingly, the Department is amending the certification to
properly reflect this matter.
The intent of the Department’s certification is to include
all workers of BIC Corporation, BIC Consumer Products
Manufacturing Co., Inc., BIC USA, Inc., Milford, Connecticut who
was adversely affected by a shift in production to Mexico, South
America and Europe.
The amended notice applicable to TA-W-55,352 is hereby
issued as follows:
"All workers of BIC Corporation, BIC Consumer Products
Manufacturing Co., Inc., BIC USA, Inc., Milford,
Connecticut, who became totally or partially separated
from employment on or after August 2, 2003, through
September 9, 2006, 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 at Washington, D.C. this 27th day of April 2005.

/s/ Elliott S. Kushner

_______________________________
ELLIOTT S. KUSHNER
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance


DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-55,352

BIC CORPORATION
BIC CONSUMER PRODUCTS MANUFACTURING CO., INC.
MILFORD, CONNECTICUT

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 August 2, 2004 in response to
a petition filed by a company official on behalf of workers at BIC
Corporation, BIC Consumer Products Manufacturing Co., Inc.,
Milford, Connecticut. The workers produce stic pens and single
blade shavers and are not separately identifiable by product line.
The investigation revealed that employment at the subject
plant declined and the subject firm shifted production of stic pens
to a country (Mexico) that is a party to a Free Trade Agreement
with the United States.
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 conclude that there were layoffs and a shift in
production from the subject firm to Mexico of articles that are
like or directly competitive with the articles produced by the
subject firm. In accordance with the provisions of the Act, I make
the following certification:





“All workers of BIC Corporation, BIC Consumer Products
Manufacturing Co., Inc., Milford, Connecticut, who became
totally or partially separated from employment on or after
August 2, 2003 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 9th day of September, 2004.

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