DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-38,922

THOMAS & BETTS
ST. MATTHEWS, SOUTH CAROLINA

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 on March 22, 2001 in
response to a petition filed by a company official on behalf of
workers at Thomas & Betts, St. Matthews, South Carolina. The
workers produce emergency lighting.
The investigation revealed that sales, production and
employment at the subject firm decreased during the period under
investigation. The investigation also revealed that the company imports
increased in the relevant period causing separations at the
subject plant.
Conclusion
After careful review of the facts obtained in the investi-
gation, I conclude that increases of imports of articles like
or directly competitive with emergency lighting at Thomas &
Betts, St. Matthews, South Carolina, contributed importantly to
the decline in sales or 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 Thomas & Betts, St. Matthews, South
Carolina, who became totally or partially separated from
employment on or after March 13, 2000, 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 in Washington, D. C. this 9th day of April, 2001.


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