DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-55,524

FRANKLIN BURLINGTON PLASTICS TA
AS SPARTECH VY-CAL
CONSHOHOCKEN, PENNSYLVANIA

Certification Regarding Eligibility
To Apply For Worker Adjustment Assistance and
Negative Determination Regarding Eligibility To Apply For
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 31, 2004, in
response to a petition filed by United Steelworkers of America,
District 10 on behalf of workers of Franklin Burlington Plastics TA
as Spartech Vy-Cal, Conshohocken, Pennsylvania. The workers
produce pvc calendered vinyl.
The investigation revealed that sales and employment at the
subject firm declined during the relevant period.
The Department of Labor surveyed the subject firms' major
customers regarding their purchases of pvc calendered vinyl in
2002, 2003 and January through August 2004. The survey revealed a
major declining customer increased their reliance on imports of pvc
calendered vinyl during the period under 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 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 assistance
(ATAA) for older workers.
The group eligibility criteria for the ATAA program

that the Department must consider under Section 246 of the

Trade Act are:

1. Whether a significant number of workers in the workers'
firm are 50 years of age or older.
2. Whether the workers in the workers' firm possess skills
that are not easily transferable.
3. The competitive conditions within the workers' industry
(i.e., conditions within the industry are adverse).

The Department has determined that criterion {2} has not been
met.
The investigation revealed workers at the workers' firm
possess skills that are easily transferable.
Conclusion
After careful review of the facts obtained in the
investigation, I conclude that increases of imports of pvc
calendered vinyl produced Franklin Burlington Plastics TA as
Spartech Vy-Cal, Conshohocken, Pennsylvania 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 Franklin Burlington Plastics TA as Spartech
Vy-Cal, Conshohocken, Pennsylvania who became totally or
partially separated from employment on or after August 27,
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."
"I further determine that all workers of Franklin Burlington
Plastics TA as Spartech Vy-Cal, Conshohocken, Pennsylvania are
denied eligibility to apply for alternative trade adjustment
assistance under Section 246 of the Trade Act of 1974."
Signed in Washington, D. C., this 1st day of October, 2004.


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