DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-51,108

DEFENDER, INC./STARR SUPPORTER
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLANIA

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 June 7, 2003 in response to
a petition filed on behalf of workers at Defender Inc./Starr
Supporter, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The workers at the subject
firm produced athletic wear (shorts, tops, underwear).
The investigation revealed that sales, production and
employment at the subject firm decreased from 2001 to 2002.
The investigation further revealed that U.S. aggregate imports
like or directly competitive with products produced at the subject
plant increased from January through September 2002 over the
January through September 2001 period. During the same period, the
ratio of U.S. imports to U.S. shipments was over 100 percent.
Conclusion
After careful review of the facts obtained in the
investigation, I conclude that increases of imports of articles
like or directly competitive with athletic wear (shorts, tops,
underwear) produced at Defender Inc./Starr Supporter, Philadelphia,
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 Defender Inc./Starr Supporter, Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania who became totally or partially separated from
employment on or after February 27, 2002 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 21st day of April, 2003.

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