DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-61,915

VANSON LEATHERS, INC.
FALL RIVER, MASSACHUSETTS

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 August 2, 2007 in response
to a petition filed by a state agency representative on behalf of
workers of Vanson Leathers, Inc., Fall River, Massachusetts.
Workers at the subject firm manufacture leather apparel, primarily
for motorcycle riding (jackets, pants and gloves). Workers are not
separately identifiable by product.
The investigation revealed that employment, sales, and
production at the subject firm declined from 2005 to 2006, and
during the period of January through July 2007, when compared to
the same time period in 2006.
The United States Department of Labor surveyed a sample of the
subject firm's declining customers regarding their purchases of
leather apparel (jackets, pants and gloves) in 2005, 2006, and
January through July 2007. The survey revealed increases in
import purchases of these garments while reducing purchases from
the subject firm during the period under investigation.
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 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 increases of imports of articles
like or directly competitive with leather apparel produced by
Vanson Leathers, Inc., Fall River, Massachusetts, 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 Vanson Leathers, Inc., Fall River,
Massachusetts, who became totally or partially separated from
employment on or after August 1, 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 22nd day of October 2007

/s/Linda G. Poole
_____________________________
LINDA G. POOLE
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance