DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-57,693

THE IRONEES CO.
PHILADELPHIA, 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 on August 8, 2005 in response
to a petition filed on behalf of workers at The Ironees Co.,
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The workers at the subject firm
produced home laundry products (i.e. ironing board covers/pads,
laundry bags, etc.); workers are not separately identifiable by
product line.
The investigation revealed sales, production, and employment
at the subject firm declined with the closure of the business on
June 1, 2005.
The Department of Labor surveyed the subject firm’s major
declining customers regarding their purchases of ironing board
covers/pad and laundry bags. This survey revealed increased imports
of ironing board covers/pad and laundry bags during the relevant
period.
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 increases of imports of articles
like or directly competitive with ironing board covers/pad and
laundry bags produced at The Ironees Co., Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania contributed importantly to the total or partial
separation of workers and to the decline in sales or production and
at that firm or subdivision. In accordance with the provisions of
the Act, I make the following certification:
"All workers of The Ironees Co., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
who became totally or partially separated from employment on
or after July 25, 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, as amended."
Signed in Washington, D.C. this 16th day of September 2005

/s/ Linda G. Poole

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