DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-62,746

REED & BARTON CORPORATION
TAUNTON, 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 January 28, 2008 in response
to a petition filed by a company official on behalf of workers of Reed
& Barton Corporation, Taunton, Massachusetts. The workers produce
sterling flatware and giftware.
Workers at the subject facility were certified eligible to apply
for Trade Adjustment Assistance on January 23, 2006 (TA-W-58,483).
That certification expired on January 23, 2008.
The investigation revealed that employment at the subject firm
decreased substantially in 2007 compared with 2006, and it continued
to decline into 2008.
The subject firm increased its reliance on imports in 2007 of
products like or directly competitive with the sterling flatware and
giftware produced at the Taunton facility, leading to a decrease in
production at the facility.
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 sterling flatware and giftware products produced at
Reed & Barton Corporation, Taunton, 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 Reed & Barton Corporation, Taunton,
Massachusetts, who became totally or partially separated from
employment on or after January 24, 2008 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 20th day of February, 2008


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