DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-54,664

LUISA'S SPORTSWEAR
A DIVISION OF SLARAMA, INC.
NEW BEDFORD, MASSACHUSETTS

Certification Regarding Eligibility
To Apply For Worker Adjustment Assistance and
Negative Determination Regarding Eligibility To Apply For
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 April 5, 2004 in response
to a petition filed by a company official on behalf of workers at
Luisa's Sportswear, a division of Slarama, Inc., New Bedford,
Massachusetts. The workers produced women's slacks, shorts,
blouses, shirts, sweaters, dresses, coats and jackets.
The investigation revealed that sales and employment at the
subject firm decreased from 2002 to 2003.
The investigation further revealed that United States
aggregate imports of women's and girls' slacks and shorts; blouses,
shirts and sweaters; dresses; and coats and jackets increased in
2003 compared with 2002. Also, the ratio of U.S. imports to
shipments of these products was well over 100 percent in 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 addition, 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.
The group eligibility criteria for the ATAA program

that the Department must consider under Section 246 of the

Trade Act are:
1. Whether a significant number of workers in the
workers' firm are 50 years of age or older.
2. Whether the workers in the workers' firm possess skills
that are not easily transferable.
3. The competitive conditions within the workers' industry
(i.e., conditions within the industry are adverse).
The Department has determined that criterion (1) has not
been met.
The investigation revealed significant number of workers in
the workers' firm are not 50 years of age or older.
Conclusion
After careful review of the facts obtained in the
investigation, I conclude that increases of imports of women's
slacks, shorts, blouses, shirts, sweaters, dresses, coats and
jackets produced at Luisa's Sportswear, a division of Slarama,
Inc., New Bedford, Massachusetts 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 Luisa's Sportswear, a division of Slarama,
Inc., New Bedford, Massachusetts who became totally or
partially separated from employment on or after April 1, 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."
I further determine that all workers of Luisa's Sportswear, a
division of Slarama, Inc., New Bedford, Massachusetts are
denied eligibility to apply for alternative trade adjustment
assistance under Section 246 of the Trade Act of 1974.
Signed in Washington, D. C., this 18th day of May, 2004.

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