DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-59,965

JONES APPAREL OF TEXAS II, LTD.
EL PASO, TEXAS

Certification Regarding Eligibility
To Apply For Worker Adjustment Assistance and
Negative Determination Regarding Eligibility To Apply For
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 in response to a petition
received on August 28, 2006, and filed by a company official on
behalf of workers at Jones Apparel of Texas II, Ltd., El Paso,
Texas. The workers produce samples for making denim jeans.
The decline in employment at the subject plant is related to a
shift in plant production of samples for making denim jeans to a
country (the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan) that is a party to a free
trade agreement with the United States.
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 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.
The group eligibility criteria for the ATAA program

that the Department must consider under Section 246 of the

Trade Act are:

1. Whether a significant number of workers in the
workers' firm are 50 years of age or older.

2. Whether the workers in the workers' firm possess skills
that are not easily transferable.

3. The competitive conditions within the workers' industry
(i.e., conditions within the industry are adverse).

The Department has determined that criterion 2 has not been
met.
The investigation revealed that the workers in the workers'
firm possess skills that are not easily transferable.
Conclusion
After careful review of the facts obtained in the
investigation, I determine that there was a shift in production
from the workers' firm or subdivision to the Hashemite Kingdom of
Jordan of articles that are like or directly competitive with those
produced by the subject firm or subdivision. In accordance with
the provisions of the Act, I make the following certification:
"All workers of Jones Apparel of Texas II, Ltd., El Paso,
Texas, who became totally or partially separated from
employment on or after August 21, 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
I further determine that all workers of Jones Apparel of Texas
II, Ltd., El Paso, Texas, are denied eligibility to apply for
alternative trade adjustment assistance under Section 246 of the
Trade Act of 1974.
Signed in Washington, D.C. this 27th day of September, 2006


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