DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-55,513

PEERLESS POTTERY INCORPORATED
ROCKPORT, INDIANA

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 August 26, 2004 in response
to a petition filed jointly by a company official and the Glass,
Molders, Pottery, Plastics & Allied Workers International Union, on
behalf of workers of Peerless Pottery Incorporated, Rockport,
Indiana. Workers at the subject firm produce vitreous china
bathroom fixtures; workers are not separately identifiable by
product line.
The investigation revealed that employment and production at
the subject firm declined from January to June 2004 when compared
with the same time period in 2003.
Surveys of the firm's major declining customers revealed
increased imports of vitreous china bathroom fixtures during the
period of investigation.
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 facility are age 50 or
over and do not possess skills that are 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 vitreous china bathroom fixtures
produced by Peerless Pottery Incorporated, Rockport, Indiana
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 Peerless Pottery Incorporated, Rockport,
Indiana, who became totally or partially separated from
employment on or after August 24, 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 21st day of September 2004.

/s/ Linda G. Poole
_____________________________
LINDA G. POOLE
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance