DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-56,526

M & F WESTERN PRODUCTS INC.
NOCONA,TEXAS


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, as
amended (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)(A) of Section 222 have been met.
The investigation was initiated on February 7, 2005 in
response to a petition filed on behalf of workers at M & F
Western Product, Inc., Nocona, Texas. The workers at the
subject firm produced leather belts; they were not separately
identifiable.
The investigation revealed that production and employment
at the subject firm declined absolutely on December 3, 2004 due
to company shut down.
The investigation further revealed that company imports of
leather belts increased absolutely from 2003 to 2004.
In addition, in accordance with Section 246 of 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 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 with leather belts produced at M &
F Western Product, Inc., Nocona, Texas contributed importantly
to the total or partial separation of workers and to the decline
in production and at that firm or subdivision. In accordance
with the provisions of the Act, I make the following
certification:
"All workers of M & F Western Product, Inc., Nocona, Texas,
who became totally or partially separated from employment
on or after January 10, 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 23rd day of February, 2005

/s/ Linda G. Poole

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