DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-59,148

THE VALKYRIE COMPANY INC.
WORCHESTER, 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, 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 April 4, 2006, in
response to a petition filed by a company official on behalf of
workers of The Valkyrie Company Inc., Worchester, Massachusetts.
The workers produce personal leather goods.
The investigation revealed that employment and sales at the
subject firm declined absolutely from January to March 2006 as
compared to the same time period the previous year.
The investigation further revealed that company reliance on
imports of personal leather goods has increased 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 increased imports of articles
like or directly competitive with personal leather goods
produced by The Valkyrie Company Inc., Worchester,
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 The Valkyrie Company Inc., Worchester,
Massachusetts, who became totally or partially separated
from employment on or after March 29, 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 in Washington, D.C. this 14th day of April, 2006


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