DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-51,260

L.L. BEAN MANUFACTURING
A DIVISION OF L.L. BEAN, INCORPORATED
BRUNSWICK, MAINE

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 sales and/or production have
decreased absolutely at the workers firm or subdivision and an
increase in imports of articles like or directly competitive with
articles produced by the workers' firm or subdivision contributed
importantly to workers' separation or threat of separation and to
the decline in the sales or production of the subject firm or
subdivision.
The investigation was initiated on March 21, 2003 in response
to a petition filed on behalf of workers at L.L. Bean
Manufacturing, a division of L.L. Bean, Incorporated, Brunswick,
Maine. The workers produce Adventure duffle bags and Sportsman's
luggage.
The investigation revealed that the workers producing
Adventure duffle bags and Sportsman's luggage are separately
identifiable from other products produced at the subject firm.
The investigation revealed that sales, production and
employment at the subject firm declined from 2001, 2002, and during
January through February 2003.
The investigation further revealed that the subject firm
increased imports of Adventure duffle bags during the relevant
period.
Conclusion
After careful review of the facts obtained in the
investigation, I conclude that increases of imports of articles
like or directly competitive with Adventure duffle bags produced at
L.L. Bean Manufacturing, a division of L.L. Bean, Incorporated,
Brunswick, Maine, 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 L.L. Bean Manufacturing, a division of L.L.
Bean, Incorporated, Brunswick, Maine, engaged in employment
related to the production of Adventure duffle bags and
Sportsman's luggage who became totally or partially separated
from employment on or after March 7, 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 14th day of April, 2003

/s/ Linda G. Poole
______________________________
LINDA G. POOLE
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance