DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-41,559

SOUTHERN BUTTON INDUSTRIES, INC.
RIVIERA BEACH, FLORIDA

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 May 20, 2002 in response
to a petition filed by workers at Southern Button Industries,
Inc., Riviera Beach, Florida. Workers are engaged in employment
related to the production of polyester buttons for clothing.
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 polyester buttons
for clothing in 2000, 2001, and January-March 2001-2002. The
survey revealed no increase in purchases of polyester buttons
for clothing.
Conclusion
After careful review, I determine that all workers of
Southern Button Industries, Inc., Riviera Beach, Florida are
denied eligibility to apply for adjustment assistance under
Section 223 of the Trade Act of 1974.

Signed in Washington, D. C. this 19th day of July, 2002


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