DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-41,176

EASTERN FELT COMPANY, INC.
WESTERLY, RHODE ISLAND

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 March 25, 2002 in
response to a petition filed by the Union of Needletrade and
Industrial Textile Employees, Local 2501 on behalf of workers at
Easter Felt Company, Inc., Westerly, Rhode Island. Workers are
engaged in employment related to the production of synthetic
fiber industrial felts.
The investigation revealed that criterion (3) has not been
met.
The Department conducted a survey of the subject firms'
major customers regarding their purchases of synthetic fiber
industrial felts in 2000, 2001, and January-March 2001-2002.
The survey revealed no increase in purchases of synthetic fiber
industrial felts.
Conclusion
After careful review, I determine that all workers of
Eastern Felt Company, Inc., Westerly, Rhode Island are denied
eligibility to apply for adjustment assistance under Section 223
of the Trade Act of 1974.

Signed in Washington, D. C. this 31st day of May, 2002


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