DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-62,734

IMERYS KAOLIN, INC.
DRY BRANCH, GEORGIA

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 January 24, 2008 in
response to a worker petition filed by the United Steelworkers,
Local 232, on behalf of workers of Imerys Kaolin, Inc., Dry
Branch, Georgia. The workers produce kaolin.
Workers of the subject facility were certified eligible to
apply for trade adjustment assistance on December 22, 2005 (TA-
W-58,347). That certification expired on December 22, 2007.
This investigation revealed that employment at the subject
facility declined in 2007 compared with 2006.
Production of kaolin at the subject facility declined in
2007 compared with the previous year. Company imports increased
in the same period, contributing to the production and
employment declines.
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 determine that increases of imports of articles
like or directly competitive with kaolin produced at Imerys
Kaolin, Inc., Dry Branch, Georgia, 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 Imerys Kaolin, Inc., Dry Branch, Georgia
who became totally or partially separated from employment
on or after December 24, 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 13th day of March 2008


/s/Richard Church
_____________________________
RICHARD CHURCH
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance