DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-59,877

BIC CORPORATION
BIC CONSUMER PRODUCTS MANUFACTURING CO., INC.
BIC USA INC.
MILFORD, CONNETICUT

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 August 9, 2006 in response
to a petition filed by a company official on behalf of workers of
BIC Corporation, BIC Consumer Products Manufacturing Co., Inc., BIC
USA Inc., Milford, Connecticut. The workers manufacture writing
instruments, shavers and lighters.
Workers of the subject firm were certified eligible to apply
for adjustment assistance under petition number TA-W-55,352, which
expired September 9, 2006.
Employment at the subject firm declined in January through
July 2006 when compared to the same period of 2005. It is expected
that employment will continue to decline as the firm continues to
shift a portion of production to a country (Mexico) that is a party
to a free trade agreement with the United States.
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 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 those produced by the subject firm or
subdivision. In accordance with the provisions of the Act, I make
the following certification:
"All workers of BIC Corporation, BIC Consumer Products
Manufacturing Co., Inc., BIC USA, Inc., Milford, Connecticut,
who became totally or partially separated from employment on
or after September 10, 2006, through two years from the date
of certification are eligible to apply for adjustment assis-
tance 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."
Signed in Washington, D.C., this 11th day of September 2006

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