DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-51,083

FERNBROOK & COMPANY
PALMERTON, PENNSYLVANIA

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, the Department of Labor herein presents the
results of its 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 on March 6, 2003 in response
to a petition filed by UNITE (Union of Needletrades, Industrial and
Textile Employees), on behalf of workers at Fernbrook & Company,
Palmerton, Pennsylvania. The workers at the subject firm produced
ladies apparel (blouses, skirts, pants).
Workers at the subject firm were certified eligible to apply
for TAA on in an amended determination issued on August 14, 2001
(TA-A-38,283). That certification extended through January 31,
2003.
This investigation revealed that sales and employment at the
subject firm decreased absolutely from 2001 to 2002.
The investigation further revealed that U.S. aggregate imports
for consumption of ladies apparel (blouses, skirts, pants) were
very high relative to U.S. shipments and increased in the year
ending September, 2002 compared with the same period of the
previous year.
Conclusion
After careful review of the facts obtained in the
investigation, I conclude that increases of imports of articles
like or directly competitive with ladies apparel (blouses, skirts,
pants) produced at Fernbrook & Company, Palmerton, Pennsylvania
contributed importantly to the total or partial separation of
workers and to the decline in sales or production and at that firm
or subdivision. In accordance with the provisions of the Act, I
make the following certification:
"All workers of Fernbrook & Company, Palmerton, Pennsylvania
who became totally or partially separated from employment on
or after February 1, 2003 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 20th day of March, 2003


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