DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-72,579

MEAD LINK PRODUCTS, INC.
WEBSTER, NEW YORK

Certification Regarding Eligibility
To Apply for Worker Adjustment Assistance

In accordance with Section 223 of the Trade Act of 1974, as
amended ("Act"), 19 U.S.C. § 2273, the Department of Labor
herein presents the results of an investigation regarding
certification of eligibility to apply for worker adjustment
assistance.
The group eligibility requirements for workers of a Firm
under Section 222(a) of the Act, 19 U.S.C. § 2272(a), are
satisfied if the following criteria are met:
(1) a significant number or proportion of the workers in such
workers' firm have become totally or partially separated, or
are threatened to become totally or partially separated; and

(2)(A)(i) the sales or production, or both, of such firm have
decreased absolutely; and

(ii)(I) imports of articles or services like or directly
competitive with articles produced or services supplied by
such firm have increased; and

(iii) the increase in imports described in clause (ii)
contributed importantly to such workers' separation or
threat of separation and to the decline in the sales or
production of such firm.

The investigation was initiated in response to a petition
filed on October 14, 2009 by a company official on behalf of
workers of Mead Link Products, Inc., Webster, New York. The
workers produce sports bags.
The investigation revealed that workers of the subject firm
who are engaged in activities related to the production of
sports bags meet the criteria for certification.
Section 222(a)(1) has been met because a significant
number or proportion of the workers in such workers' firm have
become totally or partially separated.
Section 222(a)(2)(A)(i) has been met because the
production of sports bags ended at the same time.
Section 222(a)(2)(A)(ii) has been met because imports of
articles or services like or directly competitive with sports
bags have increased. Specifically, a survey conducted by the
Department of Labor revealed that major customers maintained a
reliance on imported sports bags while curtailing all purchases
from the subject firm.
Finally, Section 222(a)(2)(A)(iii) has been met because
the increased imports of sports bags by customers of Mead Link
Products contributed importantly to the worker group
separations and sales/production declines at Mead Link
Products, Webster, New York.



Conclusion
After careful review of the facts obtained in the
investigation, I determine that workers of Mead Link Products,
Inc., Webster, New York, who are engaged in activities related
the production of sports bags meet the worker group
certification criteria under Section 222(a) of the Act, 19
U.S.C. § 2272(a). In accordance with Section 223 of the Act, 19
U.S.C. § 2273, I make the following certification:
"All workers of Mead Link Products, Inc., Webster, New
York, who became totally or partially separated from
employment on or after October 13, 2008, through two years
from the date of certification, and all workers in the
group threatened with total or partial separation from
employment on the date of certification through two years
from the date of certification, are eligible to apply for
adjustment assistance under Chapter 2 of Title II of the
Trade Act of 1974, as amended."
Signed in Washington, D.C., this 7th day of January, 2010.

/s/Elliott S. Kushner
______________________________
ELLIOTT S. KUSHNER
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance