DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-63,255

THE FELDSPAR CORPORATION
IMERYS CERAMICS DIVISION
SPRUCE PINE, NORTH CAROLINA

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 an investigation regarding certification of
eligibility to apply for worker adjustment assistance as a
secondarily affected worker group.
In order to make an affirmative determination and issue a
certification of eligibility for secondary workers to apply for
Trade Adjustment Assistance, the group eligibility requirements
of paragraph (b) of Section 222 of the Trade Act, as amended,
must be met. It is determined in this case that the requirements
of (b) of Section 222, as amended, have been met.
The investigation was initiated on April 28, 2008 in
response to a petition filed by a company official on behalf of
workers of The Feldspar Corporation, Imerys Ceramics Division,
Spruce Pine, North Carolina. The workers produce feldspar, an
industrial mineral used in sanitary-ware and vitreous china.
The investigation revealed that a significant number or
proportion of workers at the subject firm are threatened to
become separated from employment.
The investigation also revealed that the subject firm is a
supplier of component parts (feldspar) to manufacturers of
vitreous china fixtures, and at least 20 percent of its
production or sales is supplied to a manufacturer of such
fixtures whose workers were certified eligible to apply for
adjustment assistance.
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 workers of The Feldspar
Corporation, Imerys Ceramics Division, Spruce Pine, North
Carolina, qualify as adversely affected secondary workers under
Section 222 of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended. In accordance
with the provisions of the Act, I make the following
certification:
"All workers of The Feldspar Corporation, Imerys Ceramics
Division, Spruce Pine, North Carolina, who became totally
or partially separated from employment on or after April
25, 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 28th day of May 2008
/s/ Richard Church
__
RICHARD CHURCH
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance