DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-54,181

OXFORD INDUSTRIES
CUTTING DEPARTMENT
GAFFNEY, SOUTH CAROLINA

Certification Regarding Eligibility to Apply for
Alternative Trade Adjustment Assistance

The Department adopted a new interpretation regarding the
Alternative Trade Adjustment Assistance (ATAA) program in order
to provide equitable access to ATAA for worker groups whose
petitions were still in process at the time of implementation of
the ATAA program on August 6, 2003. Under this new
interpretation, worker groups covered by the certification of a
petition that was in process on August 6, 2003 may request ATAA
consideration for the certified worker group. In addition,
certified worker groups who filed petitions after that date may
also request ATAA if the petition did not include an option to
apply for ATAA. The request must be made to the Department and
may be made by anyone who was entitled to file the original
petition under section 221(a)(1) of the Act.
By letter dated May 17, 2005, a company official requested
ATAA consideration for workers at the subject firm located in
Gaffney, South Carolina.
In order for the Department to issue a certification of
eligibility to apply for ATAA, the group eligibility
requirements of Section 246(a)(3)(A) of the Trade Act must be
met. The Department has determined in this case that the
requirements have been met.
The investigation revealed that the subject worker group
possesses skills that are not easily transferable in the local
area, and that at least five percent of the workforce at the
subject firm is at least fifty years of age. Industry data show
that competitive conditions within the women’s apparel industry
are adverse.



Conclusion
After careful review of the facts obtained in this
investigation, I conclude that the requirements of Section
246(a)(3)(A) of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended, have been met
for workers at the subject firm.
In accordance with the provisions of the Act, I make the
following certification:
"All workers of Oxford Industries, Cutting Department,
Gaffney, South Carolina who became totally or partially
separated from employment on or after February 4, 2003
through February 23, 2006 are eligible to apply for
alternative trade adjustment assistance under Section 246 of
the Trade Act of 1974, as amended.”
Signed in Washington, D.C., this 13th day of July 2005
/s/ Linda G. Poole
_______________________________
LINDA G. POOLE
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance


DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-54,181

OXFORD INDUSTRIES
CUTTING DEPARTMENT
GAFFNEY, SOUTH CAROLINA

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 in response to a petition
received on February 6, 2004, and filed by the company on behalf
of workers at Oxford Industries, Cutting Department, Gaffney,
South Carolina. The workers produced women’s apparel.
The decline in employment at the subject plant is related
to a shift in plant production of women’s apparel to a country
(Guatemala) that is a beneficiary country under the Caribbean
Basin Economic Recovery Act.

Conclusion
After careful review of the facts obtained in the
investigation, I determine that there was a shift in production
from the workers’ firm or subdivision to Guatemala of articles
that are like or directly competitive with those produced by the
subject firm or subdivision. In accordance with the provisions
of the Act, I make the following certification:
"All workers of Oxford Industries, Cutting Department,
Gaffney, South Carolina, who became totally or partially
separated from employment on or after February 4, 2003,
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 23rd day of February 2004.

/s/ Elliott S. Kushner

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






May want to list the specific citation to the group eligibility requirements.
May want to list the specific citation to the group eligibility requirements.