DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration


TA-W-54,184
TROPICAL SPORTSWEAR INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
CUTTING FACILITY
TAMPA, FLORIDA

TA-W-54,184A
TROPICAL SPORTSWEAR INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
DISTRIBUTION CENTER
TAMPA, FLORIDA

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, 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 February 6, 2004 in
response to a petition filed by a state workforce agent on behalf
of workers at Tropical Sportswear International Corporation,
Cutting Facility (TA-W-54,184) and Distribution Center (TA-W-
54,184A), both located in Tampa, Florida. Workers at the Cutting
Facility are engaged in cutting fabrics. Workers at the
Distribution Center sew, finish (label, package, etc.) and
distribute men's and women's apparel.
The declines in employment at the subject firms are related to
a shift in production of apparel to a country (Dominican Republic)
that is a beneficiary under the Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery
Act.
In addition, 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 there was a shift in production
from the workers' firm or subdivision to the Dominican Republic 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 Tropical Sportswear International Corporation,
Cutting Facility, Tampa, Florida (TA-W-54,184) and of Tropical
Sportswear International Corporation, Distribution Center,
Tampa Florida (TA-W-54,184A) who became totally or partially
separated from employment on or after January 15, 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, 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 13th day of February 2004

/s/ Richard Church
______________________________
RICHARD CHURCH
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance