DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-53,253

W.R. THREAD CUTTING WORKS, INC.
UNION CITY, NEW JERSEY

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 October 15, 2003 in
response to a petition filed by the United Food and Commercial
Workers (UFCW), Local 1245, on behalf of workers at W.R. Thread
Cutting Works, Inc., Union City, New Jersey. The workers at the
subject firm produce embroidery.
The investigation revealed that sales and employment at the
subject firm decreased from 2001 to 2002, and further decreased
from January through September of 2003 when compared with the same
period in 2002.
A survey of the subject firm's major declining customers
revealed that during the relevant time period some customers were
reducing purchases of embroidery from the subject firm while
increasing import purchases of embroidery.
The investigation further revealed that U.S. aggregate imports
for consumption of embroidery increased during the relevant period.
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 articles
like or directly competitive with embroidery produced at W.R.
Thread Cutting Works, Inc., Union City, New Jersey 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 W.R. Thread Cutting Works, Inc., Union City,
New Jersey who became totally or partially separated from
employment on or after October 15, 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 eligible to apply for alternative trade adjustment assis-
tance under Section 246 of the Trade Act of 1974."
Signed in Washington, D. C. this 24th day of November, 2003.


/s/ Linda G. Poole

______________________________
LINDA G. POOLE
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance