DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-58,544

WICKERS SPORTSWEAR, INC.
WOLFEBORO, NEW HAMPSHIRE

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 December 23, 2005 and filed by a company official on
behalf of workers at Wickers Sportswear, Inc., Wolfeboro, New
Hampshire. The workers are (were) engaged in employment related
to the production of thermal underwear such as boxers, briefs and
t-shirts.
The investigation revealed that plant sales and employment
declined during the relevant period.

The investigation further revealed that the ratio of United
States aggregate imports to United States shipments of men's and
women's underwear was over 500 percent and United States imports
increased both absolutely and relative to U.S. shipments in the
twelve month period ending June 2005 over the corresponding
twelve months ending June 2004.
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 thermal underwear such as
boxers, briefs and t-shirts produced at Wickers Sportswear, Inc.,
Wolfeboro, New Hampshire 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 Wickers Sportswear, Inc., Wolfeboro, New
Hampshire who became totally or partially separated from
employment on or after December 21, 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 11th day of January, 2006.


/s/ Elliott S. Kushner
______________________________
ELLIOTT S. KUSHNER
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance