DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-62,231

WILSON SPORTING GOODS COMPANY
GOLF DIVISION
HUMBOLDT, TENNESSEE

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)(A) of
Section 222 have been met.
The investigation was initiated on October 2, 2007, in
response to a petition filed by a company official on behalf of
workers of Wilson Sporting Goods Company, Golf Division, Humboldt,
Tennessee. Workers at the subject firm manufacture golf balls.
The workers of the subject firm were previously certified
eligible to apply for adjustment assistance under petition number
TA-W-57,740, which expired on September 7, 2007.
This investigation revealed that employment and production at
the subject firm declined during the period of January through
September 2007 as compared to the same time period of 2006.
Additional worker separations are expected.
The investigation revealed that company imports of golf balls
increased relative to production at the Humboldt, Tennessee plant
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 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 determine that increases of imports of articles
like or directly competitive with golf balls produced by Wilson
Sporting Goods Company, Golf Division, Humboldt, Tennessee,
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 Wilson Sporting Goods Company, Golf Division,
Humboldt, Tennessee, who became totally or partially separated
from employment on or after September 8, 2007, 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 8th day of November 2007

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