DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-58,332

VERA & BOB HOLTE ASSOCIATE, INC.
dba HOLTE
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA

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 November 14, 2005 in
response to a petition filed by a company official on behalf of
workers of Vera & Bob Holt Associate, Inc. dba Holte, Los Angeles,
California. The workers of the subject firm produced women's tops
(i.e. blouses, shirts & sweaters), skirts, and bottoms. The
workers are not separately identifiable by product line.
The investigation revealed that sales, production, and
employment at the subject firm decreased during the period under
investigation.
The investigation further revealed that aggregate United
States imports of women's and girls' bottoms (except skirts), women
and girls' tops, and women's and girls' skirts increased during the
twelve month period ending June 2005 compared to the twelve month
period ending June 2004. Also, the ratio of U.S. imports to U.S.
shipments of these products was well over 100 percent during the
twelve month period ending June 2005.
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 women's tops (i.e. blouses,
shirts & sweaters), skirts, and bottoms produced at Vera & Bob Holt
Associate, Inc. dba Holte, Los Angeles, California 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 Vera & Bob Holt Associate, Inc. dba Holte,
Los Angeles, California, who became totally or partially
separated from employment on or after October 29, 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 12th day of December 2005.

/s/ Elliott S. Kushner

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