DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-61,125

JONES APPAREL GROUP
SAMPLE AND PATTERN MAKERS
111 W. 40th Street
NEW YORK, NEW YORK

TA-W-61,125A

JONES APPAREL GROUP
SAMPLE AND PATTERN MAKERS
119 W. 40th Street
NEW YORK, NEW YORK

TA-W-61,125B

JONES APPAREL GROUP
SAMPLE AND PATTERN MAKERS
525 7th Avenue
NEW YORK, NEW YORK

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 March 16, 2007 in response
to a petition filed by workers and expanded by a company official,
on behalf of workers of Jones Apparel Group, Sample and Pattern
Makers, 111 W. 40th Street, New York, NY (TA-W-61,125); Jones
Apparel Group, Sample and Pattern Makers, 119 W. 40th Street, New
York, NY (TA-W-61,125A); and Jones Apparel Group, Sample and
Pattern Makers, 525 7th Avenue, New York, NY (TA-W-61,125B). The
workers produce apparel samples and patterns.
The investigation revealed that production and employment
within this worker group at the subject firm declined in 2006
compared with 2005, and continued to decline in January and
February of 2007.
Additionally, company imports of apparel samples and patterns
increased during the relevant period.
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 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 increases of imports of articles
like or directly competitive with pre-production apparel samples
and patterns produced at Jones Apparel Group, Sample and Pattern
Makers, 111 W. 40th Street, New York, NY (TA-W-61,125); Jones
Apparel Group, Sample and Pattern Makers, 119 W. 40th Street, New
York, NY (TA-W-61,125A); and Jones Apparel Group, Sample and
Pattern Makers, 525 7th Avenue, New York, NY (TA-W-61,125B),
contributed importantly to the total or partial separation of
workers and to the decline in sales or production at that firm.
In accordance with the provisions of the Act, I make the
following certification:











"Workers of Jones Apparel Group, Sample and Pattern Makers,
111 W. 40th Street, New York, NY (TA-W-61,125); Jones Apparel
Group, Sample and Pattern Makers, 119 W. 40th Street, New York,
NY (TA-W-61,125A); and Jones Apparel Group, Sample and Pattern
Makers, 525 7th Avenue, New York, NY (TA-W-61,125B), who became
totally or partially separated from employment on or after
March 4, 2006, 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 15th of May, 2007


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