DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-42,166

BEST MANUFACTURING
JOHNSON CITY DIVISION
JOHNSON CITY, TENNESSEE

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 sepa-
rated;

(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 September 23, 2002, in
response to a petition filed by the company on behalf of workers
at Best Manufacturing, Division, Johnson City, Tennessee. The
workers produce nitrile gloves.
The investigation revealed that criterion (3) was not met.
The subject firm did not import nitrile gloves during the
period of the investigation.
The Department surveyed major customers of the subject firm
regarding their purchases of nitrile gloves in 2000-2001 and
January through September 2001-2002. Results of the survey
indicated that customers did not reduce purchases from the
subject firm and increase imports during the period of the
investigation.
Conclusion

After careful review, I determine that all workers of Best
Manufacturing, Division, Johnson City, Tennessee, are denied
eligibility to apply for adjustment assistance under Section 223
of the Trade Act of 1974.
Signed in Washington, D. C. this 5th day of November 2002.

/s/ Richard Church
_______________________________
RICHARD CHURCH
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance