DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-59,803

IRVING TANNING COMPANY
HARTLAND, MAINE

Certification Regarding Eligibility
To Apply for Trade Adjustment Assistance
And 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 July 27, 2006 in
response to a petition filed by a company official on behalf of
workers at Irving Tanning Company, Hartland, Maine. Workers at
the subject firm manufacture leather.
The workers of the subject firm were previously certified
eligible to apply for adjustment assistance under petition
number TA-W-53,569, which expired December 11, 2005.
The investigation revealed that employment at the subject
firm declined during the period of January through July 2006
when compared to 2005.
The subject firm's production also declined in 2005
compared to 2004, and declined in January through July 2006
compared to the same period in 2005.
The Department of Labor surveyed the subject firm's major
declining customers regarding their purchases of leather. This
survey revealed increased imports of leather during the relevant
period.
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 facilities 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 leather manufactured by Irving
Tanning Company, Hartland, Maine, 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 Irving Tanning Company, Hartland, Maine,
who became totally or partially separated from employment
on or after December 12, 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 eligible to apply for alternative trade adjustment
assistance under Section 246 of the Trade Act of 1974."
Signed in Washington, D.C., this 15th day of September 2006.

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