DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-63,725

SUPERIOR SAMPLE COMPANY, INC.
ROCHESTER, INDIANA

Certification Regarding Eligibility
To Apply for Worker Adjustment Assistance and
Alternative Trade Adjustment Assistance

In accordance with Section 223 of the Trade Act of 1974, as
amended (19 USC 2273), 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 Trade Adjustment
Assistance, the group eligibility requirements in either paragraph
(a)(2)(A) or (a)(2)(B) of Section 222 of the Trade Act must be met.
It is determined in this case that the requirements of (a)(2)(A) of
Section 222 have been met.
The investigation was initiated in response to a petition
received on July 22, 2008 filed by a company official on behalf of
workers at Superior Sample Company, Inc., Rochester, Indiana. The
workers at the subject firm produce handbags, accessories and flag
samples. Workers are not separately identifiable by product line.
The investigation revealed that employment and sales declined
at the subject facility during the relevant period.
The Department of Labor conducted a survey of the subject
firm's major declining customers regarding their purchases of
handbags and accessories during 2006, 2007 and January through July
2008 over the corresponding 2007 period. The survey revealed that
major declining customers increased their purchases of handbags and
accessories, while decreasing their purchases from the subject firm
during the relevant period.
In accordance with Section 246 the Trade Act of 1974 (26 USC
2813), as amended, the Department of Labor herein presents the
results of its investigation regarding certification of
eligibility to apply for alternative trade adjustment assistance
(ATAA) for older workers.
In order for the Department to issue a certification of
eligibility to apply for ATAA, the group eligibility requirements
of Section 246 of the Trade Act must be met. The Department has
determined in this case that the requirements of Section 246 have
been met.
A significant number of workers at the firm are age 50 or over
and possess skills that are not easily transferable. Competitive
conditions within the industry are adverse.
Conclusion
After careful review of the facts obtained in the
investigation, I determine that increases of imports of articles
like or directly competitive with handbags, accessories and flag
samples produced at Superior Sample Company, Inc., Rochester,
Indiana contributed importantly to the total or partial separation
of workers and to the decline in sales or production at that firm
or subdivision. In accordance with the provisions of the Act, I
make the following certification:
"All workers of Superior Sample Company, Inc., Rochester,
Indiana who became totally or partially separated from
employment on or after July 11, 2007, through two years from
the date of certification are eligible to apply for adjustment
assistance under Section 223 of the Trade Act of 1974, and are
also eligible to apply for alternative trade adjustment
assistance under Section 246 of the Trade Act of 1974."
Signed in Washington, D.C. this 3rd day of September 2008.


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