DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-56,385

CUSHION CRAFT BIEDERLACK CORPORATION
A SUBSIDIARY OF BIEDERLACK,(US) INC.
LISBON FALLS, MAINE

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 January 19, 2005 in response
to a petition filed by a company official on behalf of workers of
Cushion Craft Biederlack Corporation, a subsidiary of Biederlack,
(US) Inc., Lisbon Falls, Maine. The workers produce blankets.
The investigation revealed that all of the workers are under
threat of separation as the subject facility is scheduled to close
by the end of February, 2005.
The investigation also revealed that the preponderance of
declines in employment at the subject division is related to a
shift in production of blankets to China and Pakistan. Company
imports of blankets have increased during the relevant period.
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 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 determine that increases of imports of articles
like or directly competitive those produced at the subject facility
contributed importantly to the total or partial separation of
workers and to the decline in sales or production and at that firm
or subdivision. In accordance with the provisions of the Act, I
make the following certification:


"All workers of Cushion Craft Biederlack Corporation, a
subsidiary of Biederlack, (US) Inc., Lisbon Falls, Maine who
became totally or partially separated from employment on or
after January 19, 2004 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 10th day of February 2005.

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