DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-59,433

BBA NONWOVENS SIMPSONVILLE, INC.
A SUBSIDIARY OF BBA GROUP PLC
HYGIENE/MEDICAL DIVISON
INCLUDING ON-SITE LEASED WORKERS OF PHILLIPS STAFFING
SIMPSONVILLE, 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 May 19, 2006 in response to
a petition filed by a company official on behalf of workers of BBA
Nonwovens Simpsonville, Inc., a subsidiary of BBA Group PLC,
Hygiene/Medical Division, Simpsonville, South Carolina. The workers
at the subject firm produce nonwoven fabrics for medical protective
products and diapers; they are not separately identifiable by
articles produced.
The preponderance in the declines in employment at BBA
Nonwovens Simpsonville, Inc., a subsidiary of BBA Group PLC,
Hygiene/Medical Division, Simpsonville, South Carolina is related
to a shift in production of nonwoven fabrics for medical protective
products and diapers to a country (Mexico) that is a party to a
free trade agreement with the United States.
The investigation revealed that the subject firm also leased
workers on-site from Phillips Staffing to produce nonwoven fabrics
for medical protective products and diapers.
In addition, in accordance with Section 246 of 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 conclude that there was a shift in production from
the workers' firm or subdivision to Mexico of articles that are
like or directly competitive with the nonwoven fabrics for medical
protective products and diapers produced by the subject firm or
subdivision. In accordance with the provisions of the Act, I make
the following certification:
"All workers of BBA Nonwovens Simpsonville, Inc., a subsidiary
of BBA Group PLC, Hygiene/Medical Division, including on-site
leased workers of Phillips Staffing, Simpsonville, South
Carolina who became totally or partially separated from
employment on or after May 17, 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 7th day of June 2006



/s/ Elliott S. Kushner
______________________________
ELLIOTT S. KUSHNER
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance