DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-42,015

RHODIA NORTH AMERICA
ANALGESICS PLANT
ST. LOUIS, 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 eligi-
bility 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 August 26, 2002 and filed on behalf of workers at
Rhodia North America, Analgesics Plant, St. Louis, Missouri. The
workers produced bulk aspirin and methyl salicylate.
The investigation revealed that sales of aspirin and methyl
salicylate and plant employment declined during the relevant
period.
Company imports of methyl salicylate increased in 2001
compared to 2000 and January through March 2002 compared to the
same period in 2001. Company imports of methyl salicylate
accounted for a significant percentage of subject plant production
in 2001 and for all of the production in January-March 2002.
Company imports of aspirin accounted for an insignificant
percentage of subject plant production in 2000, 2001 and in
January-March 2002. However, all production of aspirin at the
subject facility will be transferred to foreign company facilities
near the end of 2002.
The Department conducted a survey of major declining customers
of the subject firm regarding their purchases of aspirin in 2000,
2001 and January through March 2002. The survey revealed that a
customer increased its purchases of aspirin from foreign firms
while decreasing its purchases from the subject firm in 2001
compared to 2000.
Conclusion
After careful review of the facts obtained in the investi-
gation, I conclude that increases of imports of articles like or
directly competitive with bulk aspirin and methyl salicylate
produced at Rhodia North America, Analgesics Plant, St. Louis,
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:






"All workers of Rhodia North America, Analgesics Plant, St.
Louis, Missouri who became totally or partially separated from
employment on or after August 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 in Washington, D. C. this 17th day of October, 2002



/s/Elliott S. Kushner________
ELLIOTT S. KUSHNER
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance