DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-53,378

FILA USA, INC.
PEABODY DIVISION
PEABODY, MASSACHUSETTS


Certification Regarding Eligibility
To Apply For Worker Adjustment Assistance

In accordance with Section 223 of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended (19 USC 2273), the Department of Labor herein presents the results of an 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)(B) of Section 222 have been met.
The investigation was initiated on October 29, 2003 in response to a petition filed by a state agency on behalf of workers at Fila USA, Inc., Peabody Division, Peabody, Massachusetts. The workers at the subject firm produced shoes exclusively for professional athletes.
The preponderance in the declines in employment at the subject firm is related to a shift in plant production of shoes to foreign countries and subsequent imports following the shift abroad.
Conclusion
After careful review of the facts obtained in the investigation, I conclude that there was a shift in production from the workers’ firm to a foreign country of articles that are like or directly competitive with those produced by the subject firm or subdivision, and there has been or is likely to be an increase in imports of like or directly competitive articles. In accordance with the provisions of the Act, I make the following certification:
“All workers of Fila USA, Inc., Peabody Division, Peabody, Massachusetts who became totally or partially separated from employment on or after October 28, 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 3rd day of December, 2003.

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