DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-55,409

ELDER MANUFACTURING COMPANY, INC.
DEXTER, MISSOURI

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 August 10, 2004 in response to
a petition filed by Union of Needletrades, Industrial and Textile
Employees, Local 62 on behalf of workers at Elder Manufacturing
Company, Inc., Dexter, Missouri. The workers were engaged in
cutting fabric for school uniforms.
The investigation revealed that employment at the subject
plant declined and the subject firm shifted production of its
cutting work to a country (Costa Rica) that is a beneficiary
country under the Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act.
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 conclude that there were layoffs and a shift in
production from the subject firm to Costa Rica of articles that are
like or directly competitive with the articles produced by the
subject firm. In accordance with the provisions of the Act, I make
the following certification:





"All workers of Elder Manufacturing Company, Inc., Dexter,
Missouri, who became totally or partially separated from
employment on or after August 6, 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 assis-
tance under Section 246 of the Trade Act of 1974."
Signed in Washington, D. C. this 13th day of September, 2004.
/s/ Linda G. Poole

______________________________
LINDA G. POOLE,
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance