DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-57,576

MEKE, INC.
NEW HOLLAND, PENNSYLVANIA

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 in response to a petition
received on July 19, 2005 and filed by a company official on
behalf of workers at Meke, Inc., New Holland, Pennsylvania. The
workers are (were) engaged in employment related to the
production of ladies' and men's knit shirts, t-shirts, tops and
sweat shirts.
The investigation revealed that plant production and
employment declined during the relevant period.
The investigation further revealed that U.S. aggregate
imports of women's and girls' tops and men's and boys' tops
increased in in the twelve month period ended March 2005 over the
corresponding twelve month period ended March 2004. In the
twelve month period ended March 2005 the ratio of U.S. imports to
U.S. shipments of women's and girl's tops was well over 900
percent and men's boys' tops, was well over 400 percent.
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 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 subject facility are
over age 50 and do not possess skills that are easily
transferable. Competitive conditions within the industry are
adverse.





Conclusion
After careful review of the facts obtained in the
investigation, I determine that increases of imports of articles
like or directly competitive with ladies' and men's knit shirts,
t-shirts, tops and sweat shirts produced at Meke, Inc., New
Holland, Pennsylvania 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 Meke, Inc., New Holland, Pennsylvania who
became totally or partially separated from employment on or
after July 17, 2004 through two years from the date of
certification are eligible to apply for adjustment assis-
tance 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 22nd day of August, 2005.

/s/ Elliott S. Kushner

______________________________
ELLIOTT S. KUSHNER
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance