DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-39,422

LEATEX CHEMICAL CO.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA


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 sub-
division have decreased absolutely; and

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

The investigation was initiated on June 11, 2001, in
response to a petition filed by the company on behalf of workers
at Leatex Chemical Co., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The workers
produced specialty chemicals used in the textile industry.


The investigation revealed that criterion (3) has not been
met.
The subject firm does not import specialty chemicals used
in the textile industry.
The United States Department of Labor conducted a survey of
major customers of the subject firm. That survey revealed that
those customers do not import specialty chemicals used in the
textile industry.
The preponderance in the declines in employment at the
subject plant may be related to the importation of textiles which
have already been treated with products like or competitive with
those produced by the subject firm and supplied to domestic
manufacturers of textiles. However, increased imports of
finished articles cannot be used as the basis for certification
of workers producing an article used in the finished articles.
Imports of specialty chemicals and not of finished textiles must
be considered as the basis for possible certification in this
case.


Conclusion
After careful review, I determine that all workers of
Leatex Chemical Co., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, are denied
eligibility to apply for adjustment assistance under Section 223
of the Trade Act of 1974.

Signed in Washington, D. C. this 27th day of February 2002.


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