DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-56,488

REED MANUFACTURING COMPANY INC.
TUPELO, MISSISSIPPI

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 3, 2005 in
response to a petition filed by a company official on behalf of
workers of Reed Manufacturing Company Inc., Tupelo, Mississippi.
The workers of the subject facility manufacture denim jeans,
casual and work pants and shirts; workers are not separately
identifiable by product.
The investigation revealed that employment at the subject
firm declined from 2003 to 2004.
The decline in employment at the subject facility is
attributed to a shift in production of denim jeans, casual and
work pants and shirts to a country (Dominican Republic) that is a
beneficiary 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 determine that there has been 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 Reed Manufacturing Company Inc., Tupelo,
Mississippi, who became totally or partially separated from
employment on or after January 21, 2004, 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 at Washington, D.C., this 22nd day of February 2005

/s/ Linda G. Poole

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