DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-40,252

BLUE RIDGE TEXTILE PRINTERS
STATESVILLE, 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 eligibility 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 subdivision have decreased absolutely; and

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

The investigation was initiated on October 22, 2001 in response to a petition filed by a company official on behalf of workers at Blue Ridge Textile Printers, Statesville, North Carolina. The workers produce printed sheets.


A petition for NAFTA Transitional Adjustment also has been filed on behalf of workers at the subject firm (NAFTA-5033).
This investigation revealed that criterion (3) has not been met.
Blue Ridge Textile Printers does not import products produced at its Statesville plant.
The Department of Labor surveyed the major customer of the subject firm regarding their purchases of printed sheets or their use of printing services abroad. The respondent indicated that it did not import.
Conclusion
After careful review, I determine that all workers of Blue Ridge Textile Printers, Statesville, 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 5th day of November, 2001


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