DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-40,402

PRIME TANNING
ST. JOSEPH, MISSOURI

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 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. 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 December 10, 2001, and filed on behalf of workers at
Prime Tanning Corporation, St. Joseph, Missouri. The workers are
engaged in the production of wet blue leather.
The investigation has revealed that sales, production and
employment at Prime Tanning, St. Joseph, Missouri decreased during
the relevant period.





The Department of Labor surveyed the major customers of the
subject firm regarding their purchases of wet blue leather during
the relevant period. The survey revealed that a major declining
customer has increased its reliance on imports of wet blue leather.
Conclusion
After careful review of the facts obtained in the
investigation, I conclude that increases of imports of articles like
or directly competitive with wet blue leather produced at Prime
Tanning Corporation, St. Joseph, Missouri 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 certification:
AAll workers of Prime Tanning Corporation, St. Joseph,
Missouri, who became totally or partially separated from
employment on or after October 24, 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 at Washington, D.C., this 25th day of March, 2002.
/s/ Linda G. Poole
_____________________________________________
LINDA G. POOLE
Certifying Officer,
Division of Trade Adjustment Assistance