DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-62,518

CHACE LEATHERS, INC.
FALL RIVER, MASSACHUSETTS

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 November 30, 2007, in
response to a petition filed by a State agency representative on
behalf of the workers of Chace Leathers, Inc., Fall River,
Massachusetts. The workers were engaged in the production of
leather and vinyl carrying cases. Workers were not separately
identifiable by product line.
The investigation revealed that sales and employment
declined from January through November 2007, over the
corresponding 2006 period.
The Department of Labor conducted a survey of the subject
firm's major declining customer regarding purchases of leather
and vinyl carrying cases (including products like or directly
competitive) during 2005, 2006, from January through November
2007 over the corresponding 2006 period. The survey revealed
that a major declining customer increased their reliance on
imported leather and vinyl carrying cases 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 leather and vinyl carrying
cases produced by Chace Leathers, Inc., Fall River,
Massachusetts 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 Chace Leathers, Inc., Fall River,
Massachusetts who became totally or partially separated
from employment on or after November 28, 2006 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 19th day of March, 2008


/s/Elliott S. Kushner
______________________________
ELLIOTT S. KUSHNER
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance