DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-52,834

THE SAFETY STITCH, INC.
HARRISVILLE, WEST VIRGINIA


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 (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 September 12, 2003 in
response to a petition filed by a company official on behalf of
workers at The Safety Stitch, Inc., Harrisville, West Virginia.
The workers produced women's blouses, shirts, dresses, coats and
jackets.
The investigation revealed that sales and employment at the
subject firm decreased from 2001 to 2002 and during the period of
January though September of 2003 when compared to the same time
period in 2002.
The investigation further revealed that United States
aggregate imports of women's blouses, shirts, dresses, coats and
jackets increased relative to domestic shipments during the period
under investigation. Also, the ratio of U.S. import to U.S.
shipments women's blouses, shirts, coats and jackets was well over
300 percent during the period under investigation.
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 conclude that increases of imports of women's
blouses, shirts, dresses, coats and jackets produced at The Safety
Stitch, Inc., Harrisville, West Virginia 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 The Safety Stitch, Inc., Harrisville, West
Virginia who became totally or partially separated from
employment on or after August 22, 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, 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 31st day of October, 2003.

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