DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-56,932

THE BLIND MAKER, INC.
DALLAS OPERATIONS DIVISION
IRVING, TEXAS

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 April 11, 2005, in
response to a petition filed by a company official on behalf of
the workers of The Blind Maker, Inc., Dallas Operations
Division, Irving, Texas. The workers were engaged in the
production of window covering products (i.e. blinds).
The investigation revealed that sales, production and
employment declined from 2003 through 2004 and also declined
from January through March 2005 when compared to the
corresponding 2004 period.
The Department of Labor surveyed the subject firm's
customers regarding their purchases of blinds/window coverings
during 2003, 2004 and January through March 2005. The survey
revealed that customers increased foreign purchases of these
articles 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 petitioning worker group possesses skills that are
easily transferable.
Conclusion
After careful review of the facts obtained in the
investigation, I determine that increases of imports of articles
like or directly competitive with the production of window
coverings produced by The Blind Maker, Inc., Dallas Operations
Division, Irving, Texas, contributed importantly to the total or
partial separation of workers and to the decline in sales or
production by that firm or subdivision. In accordance with the
provisions of the Act, I make the following certification:
"All workers of The Blind Maker, Inc., Dallas Operations
Division, Irving, Texas, who became totally or partially
separated from employment on or after March 30, 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


I further determine that all workers of The Blind
Maker, Inc., Dallas Operations Division, Irving, Texas are
denied eligibility to apply for alternative trade adjust-
ment assistance under Section 246 of the Trade Act of 1974.
Signed in Washington, D.C. this 12th day of May, 2005.



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