DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-59,492

BRAND SCIENCE LLC
dba LE SPORTSAC
INCLUDING LEASED ON-SITE WORKERS OF AT WORK
DANDRIDGE, 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 an 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)(B) of Section 222 have been met.
The investigation was initiated on May 31, 2006, in
response to a petition filed by a company official on behalf of
workers of Brand Science LLC, dba Le Sportsac, Dandridge,
Tennessee. The workers produce soft sided luggage, handbags and
accessories.
The investigation revealed that Brand Science LLC, dba Le
Sportsac, also leased on-site workers from At Work, Dandridge,
Tennessee.
The preponderance in the decline in employment at the
subject firm is related to a shift in plant production of soft
sided luggage, handbags and accessories to countries (Costa Rica
and Dominican Republic) that are party to the Caribbean Basin
Economic Recovery Act.
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 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 conclude that there was a shift in production
from the workers' firm or subdivision to Costa Rica and the
Dominican Republic of articles that are like or directly
competitive with soft sided luggage, handbags and accessories
produced by the subject firm or subdivision. In accordance with
the provisions of the Act, I make the following certification:
"All workers of Brand Science LLC, dba Le Sportsac,
Dandridge, Tennessee, including on-site leased workers of
At Work, who became totally or partially separated from
employment on or after May 25, 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 7th day of June, 2006


/s/ Linda G. Poole

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