DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-59,855

RELIANCE TRADING COMPANY OF AMERICA
BENNETTSVILLE, SOUTH CAROLINA

TA-W-59,855A

RELIANCE TRADING COMPANY OF AMERICA
BLUE ISLAND, ILLINOIS

Determinations 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
Reliance Trading Company of America, Bennettsville, South Carolina
(TA-W-59,855). The company official requested that the
investigation be expanded to include workers of Reliance Trading
Company of America, Blue Island, Illinois (TA-W-59,855A). Workers
at Reliance Trading Company of America, Bennettsville, South
Carolina (TA-W-59,855), manufacture floral arrangements and home
decor items. Workers at Reliance Trading Company of America, Blue
Island, Illinois (TA-W-59,855A), provide administrative and
technological support to the production facility.
The investigation revealed that employment at Reliance Trading
Company of America, Bennettsville, South Carolina (TA-W-59,855),
declined during the period of January through August 2006, when
compared to the same time period in 2005.
Sales and production at Reliance Trading Company of America,
Bennettsville, South Carolina (TA-W-59,855), declined from 2004 to
2005.
The United States Department of Labor surveyed the subject
firm's major declining customers regarding their purchases of
floral arrangements and home décor in 2004, 2005, and January
through August 2006. The surveys revealed increases in imports of
floral arrangements and home décor during the period under
investigation.
The investigation revealed that that there is a threat of
employment decline at the subject firm's Blue Island, Illinois
facility, where the workers provide direct support the firm's
production of floral arrangements and home décor items.
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.
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 with respect to workers of
Reliance Trading Company of America, Bennettsville, South Carolina
(TA-W-59,855), the group eligibility requirements of Section 246 of
the Trade Act have been met. A significant number of workers are
age 50 or over and possess skills that are not easily
transferable. Competitive conditions within the industry are
adverse.
The Department has determined with respect to workers of
Reliance Trading Company of America, Blue Island, Illinois (TA-W-
59,855A), that criterion 2 of the group eligibility requirements of
Section 246 of the Trade Act has not been met. The workers possess
skills that are easily transferable.
Conclusion
After careful review of the facts obtained in the
investigation, I determine that increases of imports of articles
like or directly competitive with floral arrangements and home
decor produced by Reliance Trading Company of America,
Bennettsville, South Carolina, 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 Reliance Trading Company of America,
Bennettsville, South Carolina (TA-W-59,855), who became
totally or partially separated from employment on or after
August 7, 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;" and

"All workers of Reliance Trading Company of America, Blue
Island, Illinois (TA-W-59,855A), who became totally or
partially separated from employment on or after August 7, 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



I further determine that all workers of Reliance Trading
Company of America, Blue Island, Illinois (TA-W-59,855A), are
denied eligibility to apply for alternative trade adjustment
assistance under Section 246 of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended.
Signed in Washington, D.C., this 12th day of September 2006

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