DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-56,250

BRUNER IVORY HANDLE CO.
A LINK FAMILY OF HANDLE MAKERS
HOPE, ARKANSAS

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 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)(B) of
Section 222 have been met.
The investigation was initiated December 27, 2004 in response
to a petition filed by a state agency representative on behalf of
workers of Bruner Ivory Handle Co., a Link Family of Handle Makers,
Hope, Arkansas. The workers at the subject firm produced wooden
tool and fiberglass tool handles; more specifically, ash & hickory
shovel handles. Workers are not separately identifiable by product
line.
The investigation revealed that production and employment at
the subject firm decreased absolutely from 2003 to 2004.
The investigation further revealed that company imports of
wooden tool and fiberglass tool handles increased relative to
production 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 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 wooden tool and fiberglass tool
handles produced by Bruner Ivory Handle Co., a Link Family of
Handle Makers, Hope, Arkansas, 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 Bruner Ivory Handle Co., a Link Family of
Handle Makers, Hope, Arkansas who became totally or partially
separated from employment on or after December 21, 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 28th day of January 2005.
/s/ Linda G. Poole

______________________________
LINDA G. POOLE
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance