DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-58,973

ARCONA LEATHER TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
ALSO KNOWN AS JP LEATHER/ARCONA DIVISION
HUDSON, NORTH CAROLINA

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 March 7, 2006 in response
to a petition filed on behalf of workers of Arcona Leather
Technologies, LLC, also known as JP Leather/Arcona Division,
Hudson, North Carolina. Workers at the subject firm finish leather
cow hides.
The investigation revealed that employment and sales at the
subject firm declined from 2004 to 2005 as well as during the
period of January through February 2006 when compared to the same
period in 2005.
The Department of Labor surveyed the subject firm's major
declining customer regarding its purchases of finished leather cow
hides. This survey revealed increased imports of finished leather
cow hides 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.
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 1 has not been
met.
The investigation revealed that a significant number of
workers in the workers' firm are not age 50 or older.
Conclusion
After careful review of the facts obtained in the
investigation, I determine that increases of imports of articles
like or directly competitive with finished leather cow hides
produced at Arcona Leather Technologies, LLC, also known as JP
Leather/Arcona Division, Hudson, North Carolina, 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 Arcona Leather Technologies, LLC, also known
as JP Leather/Arcona Division, Hudson, North Carolina, who
became totally or partially separated from employment on or
after February 24, 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
I further determine that all workers of Arcona Leather
Technologies, LLC, also known as JP Leather/Arcona Division,
Hudson, North Carolina are denied eligibility to apply for
alternative trade adjustment assistance under Section 246 of the
Trade Act of 1974.
Signed in Washington, D.C. this 14th day of April 2006

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