DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-61,775

TANDY BRANDS ACCESSORIES
YOAKUM, TEXAS

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)(B) of Section 222 have been met.
The investigation was initiated on July 2, 2007, in
response to a petition filed by a company official on behalf of
workers at Tandy Brands Accessories, Yoakum, Texas the workers
produced leather fashions belts; they are not separately
identifiable by product.
The investigation revealed that employment and production
at the subject firm declined as a result of production of
leather fashions belts being shifted to China.
Moreover, the investigation revealed that imports of
leather fashions belts are likely to increase following the
shift to China.
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.
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 subject facility 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 that there has been a shift in
production from the subject firm to China of articles that are
like or directly competitive with the leather fashions belts
produced by Tandy Brands Accessories, Yoakum, Texas, and there
has been or is likely to be an increase in imports of like or
directly competitive articles. In accordance with the
provisions of the Act, I make the following certification:
"All workers of Tandy Brands Accessories, Yoakum, Texas,
who became totally or partially separated from employment
on or after June 28, 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 18th day of July, 2007


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