DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-40,942

THE BILTRITE CORPORATION
RIPLEY, MISSISSIPPI

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 March 4, 2002, and filed by the company on behalf of
workers at The Biltrite Corporation, Ripley, Mississippi. The
workers are engaged in the production of shoe soles and heels, and
matting and adhesives.




The investigation has revealed that the subject firm has
increased imports of heels and soles, and matting and adhesives
while decreasing employment and production at the subject plant.
The workers of the subject firm were previously certified for
eligibility under TA-W-36,702 that expired November 18, 2001.
Conclusion
After careful review of the facts obtained in the
investigation, I conclude that increases of imports of articles like
or directly competitive with shoe heels and soles produced at The
Biltrite Corporation, Ripley, Mississippi 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 The Biltrite Corporation, Ripley, Mississippi,
who became totally or partially separated from employment on
or after November 19, 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 at Washington, D.C., this 25th day of March, 2002.
/s/ Edward A. Tomchick
_____________________________________________
EDWARD A. TOMCHICK
Director
Division of Trade Adjustment Assistance