DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-55,475

SYNTHETIC THREAD CO. INC.
BETHLEHEM, PENNSYLVANIA

Negative Determination 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
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. The group
eligibility requirements for directly-impacted (primary) workers
under Section 222(a) the Trade Act of 1974, as amended, can be
satisfied in either of two ways:
I. Section (a) (2) (A) all of the following must be satisfied:
A. a significant number or proportion of the workers in
such workers' firm, or an appropriate subdivision of the
firm, have become totally or partially separated, or are
threatened to become totally or partially separated;
B. the sales or production, or both, of such firm or
subdivision have decreased absolutely; and
C. increased imports of articles like or directly
competitive with articles produced by such firm or
subdivision have contributed importantly to such
workers' separation or threat of separation and to the
decline in sales or production of such firm or
subdivision; or

II. Section (a) (2) (B) both of the following must be
satisfied:

A. a significant number or proportion of the workers in
such workers' firm, or an appropriate subdivision of
the firm, have become totally or partially separated,
or are threatened to become totally or partially
separated;
B. there has been a shift in production by such workers'
firm or subdivision to a foreign country of articles
like or directly competitive with articles which are
produced by such firm or subdivision; and

C. One of the following must be satisfied:
1. the country to which the workers' firm has shifted
production of the articles is a party to a free
trade agreement with the United States;
2. the country to which the workers' firm has shifted
production of the articles is a beneficiary country
under the Andean Trade Preference Act, African
Growth and Opportunity Act, or the Caribbean Basin
Economic Recovery Act; or
3. there has been or is likely to be an increase in
imports of articles that are like or directly
competitive with articles which are or were produced
by such firm or subdivision.

The investigation was initiated on August 19, 2004 in
response to a petition filed by the Union of Needletrades,
Industrial, and Textile Employees, Local 2304, on behalf of
workers at of Synthetic Thread Co. Inc., Bethlehem,
Pennsylvania. The workers produce synthetic thread.
The investigation revealed that criteria (a) (2) (A) (I.C)
and (a) (2) (B) (II. B) have not been met.
The investigation revealed that the subject firm did not
increase imports of synthetic thread, nor did it shift
production abroad during the relevant period.
The Department of Labor surveyed the subject firm's major
customers regarding their purchases of synthetic thread in 2002-
2003 and January through July, 2003-2004. The survey revealed
negligible imports of synthetic thread during the relevant
period.
In addition, 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 assis-
tance (ATAA) for older workers.
In order for the Department to issue a certification of
eligibility to apply for ATAA, the worker group must be certified
eligible to apply for trade adjustment assistance (TAA). Since
the workers are denied eligibility to apply for TAA, the workers
cannot be certified eligible for ATAA.


Conclusion
After careful review of the facts obtained in this
investigation, I determine that all workers of Synthetic Thread
Co. Inc., Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, are denied eligibility to
apply for adjustment assistance under Section 223 of the Trade
Act of 1974 and alternative trade adjustment assistance under
Section 246 of the Trade Act of 1974.
Signed in Washington, D.C. this 6th day of October, 2004.

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