DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-59,851

B.A. BALLOU & COMPANY, INC.
EAST PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND

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 (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 August 7, 2006 in
response to a petition filed by a company official on behalf of
workers of B.A. Ballou & Company, Inc., East Providence, Rhode
Island. Workers at the subject firm manufacture precious metal
jewelry.
The investigation revealed that employment at the subject
firm declined during the period of January through July 2006
when compared to the same period in 2005.
The subject firm's sales and 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 precious metal
jewelry. This survey revealed an increased reliance on imports
of precious metal jewelry 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 precious metal jewelry
produced by B.A. Ballou & Company, Inc., East Providence, Rhode
Island, 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 B.A. Ballou & Company, Inc. who became
totally or partially separated from employment on or after
July 28, 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 14th day of September 2006.
/s/Linda G. Poole
_____________________________
LINDA G. POOLE
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance