DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-39,345

TRI-STATE PLASTICS INCORPORATED
GASTONIA, NORTH CAROLINA

Negative Determination 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:
(1) that a significant number or proportion of the workers
in the workers' firm, or an appropriate subdivision
thereof, have become totally or partially separated, or
are threatened to become totally or partially
separated;

(2) that sales or production, or both, of the firm or
subdi-vision have decreased absolutely; and

(3) that increases of imports of articles like or directly
competitive with articles produced by the firm or
appro-priate subdivision have contributed importantly
to the separations, or threat thereof, and to the
absolute decline in sales or production.

The investigation was initiated on May 29, 2001 in response
to a petition filed on behalf of workers at Tri-State Plastics,
Inc., Gastonia, North Carolina. The workers produced plastic
textile machinery replacement parts.
The investigation revealed that criterion (3) has not been
met.
The Department surveyed the major declining customers of
Tri-State Plastics, Inc. regarding their purchases of plastic
textile machinery replacement parts during 1999, 2000, January-
March 2001. The survey revealed that none of the respondents
increased their purchases of imports while decreasing their
purchases from the subject firm during the relevant period.
Conclusion
After careful review, I determine that all workers of Tri-
State Plastics, Inc., Gastonia, North Carolina are denied
eligibility to apply for adjustment assistance under Section 223
of the Trade Act of 1974.

Signed in Washington, D. C. this 28th day of August, 2001

/s/ Linda G. Poole


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