DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-59,103

CERAMO COMPANY, INC.
JACKSON, MISSOURI

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 29, 2006 in
response to a petition filed by a company official on behalf of
workers at Ceramo Company, Inc., Jackson, Missouri. The workers
produce red clay flower pots.
The investigation revealed that employment and production
at the subject firm declined from 2004 to 2005.
The investigation also revealed that imports of red clay
flower pots by the subject firm increased during the same time
period.
Furthermore, the United States Department of Labor surveyed
the subject firm's major customers regarding their purchases of
red clay flower pots in 2004 and 2005. The survey revealed
purchases from abroad increased while purchases from the subject
firm declined 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.
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 investigation revealed that the workers in the workers'
firm possess skills that are easily transferable within the
geographical area.
Conclusion
After careful review of the facts obtained in the
investigation, I conclude that increases of imports of articles
like or directly competitive with those produced at Ceramo
Company, Inc., Jackson, Missouri contributed 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 Ceramo Company, Inc., Jackson, Missouri who
became totally or partially separated from employment on or
after March 27, 2005 through two years from the date of
certification are eligible to apply for adjustment assis-
tance under Section 223 of the Trade Act of 1974."
I further determine that all workers of Ceramo Company,
Inc., Jackson, Missouri 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 11th day of April, 2006

/s/Richard Church
_______________________________
RICHARD CHURCH
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance