DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-53,269

WEYCO GROUP, INC.
BEAVER DAM, WISCONSIN

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 16, 2003 in
response to a petition filed by United Food & Commercial Workers
(UFCW), Local 73A, on behalf of workers of Weyco Group, Inc.,
Beaver Dam, Wisconsin. The workers at the subject firm produce
men's footwear; workers are not separately identifiable by product
line.
The investigation revealed that sales, production and
employment at the subject firm decreased absolutely from 2001 to
2002, and during the period of January to September 2003, when
compared to the same period in 2002.
Moreover, total company imports of men's footwear increased
absolutely 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 determine that increases of imports of articles
like or directly competitive with men's footwear produced at Weyco
Group, Inc., Beaver Dam, Wisconsin 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 certifications:
"All workers of Weyco Group, Inc., Beaver Dam, Wisconsin who
became totally or partially separated from employment on or
after October 14, 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 24th day of November, 2003.


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