DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-39,469

TARKETT, INC.
WHITEHALL, PENNSYLVANIA

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 June 18, 2001, and filed on behalf of workers at
Tarkett, Inc., Whitehall, Pennsylvania. The workers are engaged in
the production of vinyl flooring.
The investigation revealed that the subject firm increased its
reliance on imported vinyl flooring while decreasing both
employment and production at Whitehall, Pennsylvania during the
relevant period. The decline in employment at the subject plant is
related to a shift in plant production to a foreign source with the
simultaneous importation of the products back to the United States.
This worker group was previously certified eligible to apply
for worker adjustment assistance under petition number TA-W-36,207
which expired May 26, 2001.
Currently, there is an existing NAFTA-Transitional Adjustment
Assistance investigation for workers at the subject firm. The
identifying number is NAFTA-4984.
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 vinyl flooring 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 certifications:
"All workers of Tarkett, Inc., Whitehall, Pennsylvania who
became totally or partially separated from employment on or
after May 27, 2001, 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 31st day of July, 2001

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