DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-58,009

SCHUESSLER KNITTING MILLS, INC.
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS

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 22, 2005 in
response to a petition filed by a company official on behalf of
workers of Schuessler Knitting Mills, Inc., Chicago, Illinois. The
workers produce acrylic and knit cotton and wool hats, acrylic
mittens and acrylic and knit wool scarves. The workers are not
separately identifiable by product.
The investigation revealed that sales and production at the
subject firm decreased during the period of January through August
of 2005 compared with the same period in 2004.
Employment at the subject firm will decline absolutely upon
the shutdown of Chicago plant which is scheduled for early November
2005.
Aggregate imports of articles like or directly competitive
with acrylic and knit cotton and wool hats, acrylic mittens and
acrylic and knit wool scarves increased from 2003 to 2004, and
during the period of the year ending August 2005 compared to the
same period one year prior.
Company imports increased in both 2004 and January through
August, 2005. It is anticipated that the firm taking over the
assets of the subject firm will rely on imported articles to supply
customers.
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 acrylic and knit cotton and wool
hats, acrylic mittens and acrylic and knit wool scarves produced at
Schuessler Knitting Mills, Inc., Chicago, Illinois 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 Schuessler Knitting Mills, Inc., Chicago,
Illinois who became totally or partially separated from
employment on or after September 1, 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 27th day of October 2005.

/s/ Richard Church
______________________________
RICHARD CHURCH
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance