DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-40,674
B.B. WALKER COMPANY
ASHEBORO, NORTH CAROLINA

TA-W-40,674A
BENDER SHOE COMPANY
SOMERSET, 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
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 on January 28, 2002, in
response to a petition filed by the company on behalf of workers
at B.B. Walker Company, Asheboro, North Carolina (TA-W-40,674)
and Bender Shoe Company, Somerset, Pennsylvania (TA-W-40,674A).
Bender Shoe Company, Somerset, Pennsylvania is fully owned by
B.B. Walker Company, Asheboro, North Carolina. At both
locations, B.B. Walker Company, Asheboro, North Carolina and
Bender Shoe Company, Somerset, Pennsylvania, the workers produced
men's and women's footwear such as work shoes and western boots.
The investigation revealed that employment, sales and
production declined significantly during the relevant period.
The subject firm does not import and has no plans to begin
importing.
U.S. aggregate data show that the ratio of U.S. imports of
men's and women's non-athletic footwear are over 100 percent when
compared to U.S. value of shipments in 1999. From 1999 to 2000,
U.S. imports of men's and women's non-athletic footwear increased
absolutely.
A petition for NAFTA-Transitional Adjustment Assistance has
been filed on behalf of workers at the subject firm (NAFTA-5695
and NAFTA-5695A).
Conclusion
After careful review of the facts obtained in the
investigation, I conclude that increases of imports of articles
like or directly competitive with those produced by B.B. Walker
Company, Asheboro, North Carolina and Bender Shoe Company,
Somerset, Pennsylvania 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
Trade Act, I make the following certification:


"All workers at B.B. Walker Company, Asheboro, North
Carolina (TA-W-40,674) and Bender Shoe Company, Somerset,
Pennsylvania (TA-W-40,674A) who became totally or partially
separated from employment on or after December 17, 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 in Washington, D. C. this 6th day of March 2002

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