DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-58,618

W.E. STEPHENS MANUFACTURING COMPANY
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE

TA-W-58,618A
GOLDEN ELK ENTERPRISES, INC.
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE

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 January 12, 2006, in
response to a petition filed on behalf of workers of W.E.
Stephens Manufacturing Company, Nashville, Tennessee (TA-W-
58,618) and Golden Elk Enterprises, Inc., Nashville, Tennessee
(TA-W-58,618A). Workers at the subject firm are engaged in
activities related to the production of jeans.
Employment at W.E. Stephens Manufacturing Company,
Nashville, Tennessee (TA-W-58,618) and Golden Elk Enterprises,
Inc., Nashville, Tennessee (TA-W-58,618A) declined from 2004
through 2005.
The investigation revealed that workers of the above firms
are in support of the parent company's (Elk Brand Manufacturing
Company, Inc.) production of women's jeans in Nashville,
Tennessee. The investigation revealed that Elk Brand
Manufacturing Company, Inc., Nashville, Tennessee, has shifted
production to China and increased imports of women's jeans.
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 facility are age 50
or over 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 women's jeans produced by Elk
Brand Manufacturing Company, Inc., 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 W.E. Stephens Manufacturing Company,
Nashville, Tennessee (TA-W-58,618) and Golden Elk
Enterprises, Inc., Nashville, Tennessee (TA-W-58,618A), who
became totally or partially separated from employment on or
after January 11, 2005 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 February, 2006.

/s/ Linda G. Poole

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