DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-42,178

MICROTEK MEDICAL, INC.
COLUMBUS, 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 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 on September 30, 2002 in
response to a petition filed by a company official on behalf of
workers at Microtek Medical, Inc., Columbus, Mississippi. The
workers produced disposable medical drapes.
The investigation revealed that production and employment
at the subject firm declined during the relevant period.
The investigation further revealed that the company
increased their imports of disposable medical drapes during the
relevant period.

Workers at the Columbus, Mississippi plant were covered
under a certification (TA-W-37,417) which expired on March 31,
2002. Therefore, the impact date pertaining to this worker group
will commence on April 1, 2002.
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 disposable medical drapes produced
at Microtek Medical, Inc., Columbus, Mississippi, contributed
importantly to the decline in sales or production and to the
total or partial separation of workers of that firm. In accor-
dance with the provisions of the Act, I make the following
certification:
"All workers of Microtek Medical, Inc., Columbus,
Mississippi who became totally or partially separated from
employment on or after April 1, 2002, through two years from
the date of certification are eligible to apply for adjust-
ment assistance under Section 223 of the Trade Act of 1974."

Signed in Washington, D. C. this 28th day of October, 2002.



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