DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-53,698

HOLLOWAY SPORTSWEAR, INC.
SIMMESPORT, LOUISIANA

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 December 3, 2003, in response to a petition filed by a company official on behalf of workers of Holloway Sportswear, Inc., Simmesport, Louisiana. The workers produce men’s and women’s jackets.
The investigation revealed that the subject firm is ceasing production at Simmesport, Louisiana and shifting production to foreign venues, one of which is within the borders of a country with which the U.S. has a free trade agreement: Mexico.
U.S. imports of men’s and women’s jackets have risen sharply throughout the recent period. The ratio of imports to U.S. imports to U.S. shipments is approaching 1,000 percent.
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 jackets produced at Holloway Sportswear, Inc., Simmesport, Louisiana, 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 Holloway Sportswear, Inc., Simmesport, Louisiana who became totally or partially separated from employment on or after November 25, 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 12th day of December, 2003.


/s/ Elliott S. Kushner

______________________________
ELLIOTT S. KUSHNER
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance