DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-58,778

COTTON BOUTIQUE, INC.
ALLENTOWN, 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 February 2, 2006 in
response to a petition filed agent on behalf of workers of Cotton
Boutique, Inc., Allentown, Pennsylvania. Workers at the subject
firm produced women’s and children’s clothing.
Specifically, the products included women’s and girls’
dresses, pants, shirts, and jackets.
The investigation revealed that employment, sales, and
production at the subject firm decreased absolutely upon its
shutdown on December 31, 2005.
Aggregate United States imports of women’s and girls’ tops,
and of women’s and girls’ bottoms (except skirts) increased in the
year ending June, 2005 compared with the same period one year
prior. Imports represented over 900 percent of domestic shipments
in the latter period. Imports of dresses also increased in the
above period, and were over 200 percent of domestic shipments.
United States imports for consumption of women’s and girl’
coats and jackets also increased in October 2004 through September
2005 compared with the same period one year earlier.
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 those produced by Cotton
Boutique, Inc., Allentown, Pennsylvania, contributed 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 at Cotton Boutique, Inc., Allentown, Pennsylvania
who became totally or partially separated from employment on
or after January 31, 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 16th day of February, 2006.

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