DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-60,242

THORNTON FASHION DESIGNS, INC.
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA

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 October 13, 2006 in
response to a petition filed on behalf of workers at Thornton
Fashion Designs, Inc., San Francisco, California. The workers at
the subject firm produce women's workout wear (e.g. lycra and
cotton); they are not separately identifiable by articles produced.
The investigation revealed that employment, sales, and
production at the subject firm decreased during the period of
January through September 2006 over the corresponding 2005 period.
The Department of Labor surveyed the subject firm's major
declining customer regarding its purchases of women's workout wear
during 2004, 2005 and January through September 2006 over the
corresponding 2005 period. The survey revealed increased imports of
women's workout wear by the subject firm's declining customer
during the period of January through September 2006 over the
corresponding 2005 period.
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 determine that an increase in imports of articles
like or directly competitive with women's workout wear produced at
the subject firm 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 Thornton Fashion Designs, Inc., San Francisco,
California, who became totally or partially separated from
employment on or after October 1, 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 November 2006.



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