DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-57,873

CONSO INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
UNION, SOUTH CAROLINA

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 an 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 on September 1, 2005 in
response to a petition filed by a company official on behalf of
workers of Conso International Corporation, Union, South
Carolina. The workers make decorative trimmings.
Employment, sales and production declined from 2003 to 2004
and during January through August 2005 when compared to the same
period in 2004.
Workers of the subject firm were previously certified for
TAA and were covered under TA-W-52,722. This certification
expired on September 26, 2005.
The investigation revealed that the subject firm shifted
production of decorative trimmings to a country (Mexico) that is
a party to a free trade agreement with the United States.
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 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 there has been a shift in
production from the workers' firm or subdivision to Mexico of
articles that are like or directly competitive with those made
by the subject firm or subdivision. In accordance with the
provisions of the Act, I make the following certification:
"All workers of Conso International Corporation, Union,
South Carolina who became totally or partially separated
from employment on or after September 27, 2005 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 at Washington, D.C., this 29th day of September 2005.


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