DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Employment and Training Administration
TA-W-58,483

REED & BARTON CORPORATION
SILVERSMITHS DIVISION
TAUNTON, MASSACHUSETTS

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)(A) of Section 222 have been met.
The investigation was initiated on December 8, 2005, in
response to a petition filed by the New England Joint Board of
the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union/United Food and
Commercial Workers International Union, on behalf of workers of
Reed & Barton Corporation, Silversmiths Division, Taunton,
Massachusetts. The workers at the subject firm produce sterling
and plated flatware, and sterling and plated holloware and
giftware. The workers are not separately identifiable by product
line.
Employment at the subject firm declined from 2003 to 2004
and during January through November 2005 when compared to the
same period in 2004.
The investigation revealed that sales and production at the
subject firm decreased during January through November 2005 when
compared to the same period in 2004.
The investigation further revealed that the subject firm
increased reliance on imports of sterling and plated flatware
during the relevant period.
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.
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 sterling and plated flatware
produced by Reed & Barton Corporation, Silversmiths Division,
Taunton, Massachusetts, 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 Reed & Barton Corporation, Silversmiths
Division, Taunton, Massachusetts, who became totally or
partially separated from employment on or after December 7,
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 January 2006.
/s/ Linda G. Poole
______________________________
LINDA G. POOLE
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance