DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-59,572

GFSI
DBA GEAR FOR SPORTS
BEDFORD, IOWA

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 June 15, 2006, in response
to a petition filed by a company official on behalf of workers of
GFSI, dba GEAR for Sports, Bedford, Iowa. The workers produce
sweatshirts, caps, t-shirts, and jackets; they are not separately
identifiable by articles produced.
The investigation revealed that the preponderance in the
declines in employment at GFSI, dba GEAR for Sports, Bedford, Iowa
is related to a shift in production of sweatshirts, caps, t-shirts,
and jackets to a country (Mexico) that is a party to a free trade
agreement with the United States and a country (Honduras) that is a
beneficiary country under the Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery
Act.
In addition, in accordance with Section 246 of 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 conclude that there was a shift in production from
the workers' firm or subdivision to Mexico and Honduras of articles
that are like or directly competitive with the sweatshirts, caps,
t-shirts, and jackets produced by the subject firm or subdivision.
In accordance with the provisions of the Act, I make the following
certification:
"All workers of GFSI, dba GEAR for Sports, Bedford, Iowa who
became totally or partially separated from employment on or
after June 14, 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 29th day of June 2006.


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