DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-55,540

AMERICAN UNIFORM COMPANY
CONASAUGA PLANT
CONASAUGA, TENNESSEE

TA-W-55,540A

AMERICAN UNIFORM COMPANY
HARTFORD WAREHOUSE
SOUTH WINDSOR, CONNECTICUT

TA-W-55,540B

AMERICAN UNIFORM COMPANY
MIDDLETON WAREHOUSE
MIDDLETON, WISCONSIN

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 September 1, 2004 in
response to a petition filed by the company on behalf of workers at
American Uniform Company, Conasauga Plant, Conasauga, Tennessee
(TA-W-55,540), American Uniform Company, Hartford Warehouse,
South Windsor, Connecticut (TA-W-55,540A) and American Uniform
Company, Middleton Warehouse, Middleton, Wisconsin (TA-W-
55,540B).
Workers at the Conasauga, Tennessee facility produce men's and
ladies shirts/blouses. Workers at the Hartford Warehouse, South
Windsor, Connecticut and Middleton Warehouse, Wisconsin facilities
are warehouse and distribution employees in direct support of the
Conasauga, Tennessee facility.
The investigation revealed that production and employment at
the subject firm decreased during the relevant period.
The subject firm increased their reliance on men's and ladies
shirts/blouses during the relevant period.
The petitioner also requested consideration for Alternative
Trade Adjustment Assistance (ATAA).
In order to issue a certification of eligibility to apply for
ATAA for older workers, the group eligibility requirements of
Section 246(a)(3)(A)(ii) of the Trade Act must be met. The
Department has determined in this case that the requirements 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 increases of imports of men's and
ladies shirts/blouses produced at American Uniform Company,
Conasauga Plant, Conasauga, Tennessee (TA-W-55,540), American
Uniform Company, Hartford Warehouse, South Windsor, Connecticut
(TA-W-55,540A) and American Uniform Company, Middleton Warehouse,
Middleton, Wisconsin (TA-W-55,540B) 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 at American Uniform Company, Conasauga Plant,
Conasauga, Tennessee (TA-W-55,540), American Uniform Company,
Hartford Warehouse, South Windsor, Connecticut (TA-W-55,540A)
and American Uniform Company, Middleton Warehouse, Middleton,
Wisconsin (TA-W-55,540B) who became totally or partially
separated from employment on or after August 24, 2003 through
two years from the date of certification are eligible to apply
for adjustment assistance under Section 223, and alternative
trade adjustment assistance under Section 246 of the Trade Act
of 1974."
Signed in Washington, D. C., this 20th day of September, 2004.

/s/ Linda G. Poole
______________________________
LINDA G. POOLE
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance