DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-64,211

TARKETT ALABAMA, INC.
NAFCO DIVISION
A SUBSIDIARY OF TARKETT
FLORENCE, ALABAMA

Certification Regarding Eligibility
To Apply for Worker Adjustment Assistance and Negative
Determination Regarding Eligibility to Apply for
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 October 14, 2008, in
response to a petition filed by a company official on behalf of
workers of Tarkett Alabama, Inc., NAFCO division, a subsidiary of
Tarkett, Florence, Alabama. The workers at the subject firm
produce luxury and solid vinyl tile and vinyl and rubber wall
bases. The workers are not separately identifiable by articles
produced.
The investigation revealed that employment, sales, and
production declined at the subject firm from 2006 to 2007 and in
January through September 2008 when compared to the same time
period the previous year.
The Department of Labor surveyed the subject firm's major
declining customers regarding purchases of luxury and solid vinyl
tile and vinyl and rubber wall bases during 2006, 2007, and in
January through September 2008. The survey revealed increased
reliance on imported luxury and solid vinyl tile and vinyl and
rubber wall bases during the relevant period.
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.
The group eligibility criteria for the ATAA program the
Department must consider under Section 246 of the Trade Act
are:
1. Whether a significant number of workers in the
workers' firm are 50 years of age or older.
2. Whether the workers in the workers' firm possess
skills that are not easily transferable.
3. The competitive conditions within the workers'
industry (i.e., conditions within the industry are
adverse).

The Department has determined that criterion 2 has not been
met. The investigation revealed that the workers of the subject
firm possess skills that are easily transferable.


Conclusion
After careful review of the facts obtained in the
investigation, I determine that an increase in imports of articles
like or directly competitive with luxury and solid vinyl tile and
vinyl and rubber wall bases produced by the subject firm
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 Tarkett Alabama, Inc., NAFCO division, a
subsidiary of Tarkett, Florence, Alabama, who became totally
or partially separated from employment on or after October 10,
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
I further determine that all workers of Tarkett Alabama, Inc.,
NAFCO division, a subsidiary of Tarkett, Florence, Alabama, are
denied eligibility to apply for alternative trade adjustment
assistance under Section 246 of the Trade Act of 1974.

Signed in Washington, D.C., this 12th day of November, 2008.

/s/ Linda G. Poole

______________________________
LINDA G. POOLE
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance