DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-57,594

F & M HAT COMPANY, INC.
BIERNER HAT CO. DIVISION
DALLAS, TEXAS

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 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 July 21, 2005 in
response to a petition filed by a state representative on behalf
of workers at F & M Hat Company, Inc., Bierner Hat Co. division,
Dallas, Texas. The workers at the subject facility produce
headwear. Workers are not separately identifiable by product
line.
The investigation revealed that sales, production and
employment at the subject facility declined during January
through June 2005 when compared to the same period in 2004.
The investigation further revealed that company imports of
headwear increased during the relevant period.
In addition, in accordance with Section 246 of 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 facility 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 increases of imports of articles
like or directly competitive with headwear produced at F & M Hat
Company, Inc., Bierner Hat Co. division, Dallas, Texas
contributed importantly to the total or partial separation of
workers and to the decline in production at that firm or
subdivision. In accordance with the provisions of the Act, I
make the following certification:
"All workers of F & M Hat Company, Inc., Bierner Hat Co.
division, Dallas, Texas, who became totally or partially
separated from employment on or after July 18, 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 in Washington, D. C. this 17th day of August, 2005.

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