DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-62,890

BUXTON ACQUISITION COMPANY, LLC
CHICOPEE, 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, 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 February 25, 2008, in
response to a petition filed by a State agency representative on
behalf of workers of Buxton Acquisition Company, LLC, Chicopee,
Massachusetts. The workers are engaged in activities related to
the assembly, packaging, warehousing and distribution of small
leather goods, including wallets, briefcases, travel kits, belts,
and business accessories. The workers are not separately
identifiable.
The investigation determined that the threat of employment
decline at Buxton Acquisition Company, LLC, Chicopee,
Massachusetts, is related to a shift of the assembly of small
leather goods to China. Furthermore, it is likely that will be an
increase in company imports of like or directly competitive
articles.
In addition, 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 there was a shift in production
from the workers' firm or subdivision to China of articles that are
like or directly competitive with those produced by the subject
firm or subdivision, and there has been or is likely to be an
increase in imports of like or directly competitive articles. In
accordance with the provisions of the Act, I make the following
certification:


"All workers of Buxton Acquisition Company, LLC, Chicopee,
Massachusetts, who became totally or partially separated from
employment on or after February 21, 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 7th day of May 2008.


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