DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-38,489

WESTERN SUPPLIES COMPANY
ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI

Certification Regarding Eligibility
To Apply for Worker Adjustment Assistance

In accordance with Section 223 of the Trade Act of 1974 (19
USC 2273) as amended by the Omnibus Trade and Competitiveness Act
of 1988 (P. L. 100-418), the Department of Labor herein presents
the results of an investigation regarding certification of eligi-
bility to apply for worker adjustment assistance.
In order to make an affirmative determination and issue a
certification of eligibility to apply for adjustment assistance
each of the group eligibility requirements of Section 222 of the
Act must be met. It is determined in this case that all of the
requirements have been met.
The investigation was initiated in response to a petition
received on January 2, 2001, filed by the International
Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, District 9, on
behalf of workers at Western Supplies Company, St. Louis,
Missouri. The workers are engaged in the production of cutting
dies for shoes.
The investigation revealed that sales and employment at the
subject firm declined in 2000 compared with 1999, and continued
to decline in January 2001 compared with the same period in 2000.
The U.S. Department of Labor conducted a survey of major
customers of the subject firm concerning their purchases of shoe
dies in 1999, 2000, and January-February 2001. The survey
revealed that respondents reported increasing their imports of
shoe dies from offshore, while decreasing their purchases from
the subject firm during the relevant period.
Conclusion
After careful review of the facts obtained in the
investigation, I conclude that increased imports from offshore of
articles like or directly competitive with shoe dies produced at
Western Supplies Company, St. Louis, Missouri, contributed
importantly to the decline in sales or production and to the
total or partial separation of workers of that firm.
In accordance with the provisions of the Act, I make the
following certification:
"All workers of Western Supplies Company, St. Louis,
Missouri who became totally or partially separated from
employment on or after December 15, 1999, through two years
from the date of certification are eligible to apply for
adjustment assistance under Section 223 of the Trade Act of
1974."

Signed at Washington, D.C., this 9th day of April, 2001.



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