DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-62,074

PLAYTEX PUERTO RICO
SARA LEE BRANDED APPAREL
VEGA BAJA, PUERTO RICO

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, as
amended (19 USC 2273), 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 August 31, 2007 in response
to a petition filed by a state agency representative on behalf of
workers of Playtex Puerto Rico, Vega Baja, Puerto Rico. Workers at
the subject firm cut fabric into pieces for assembly (intimate
apparel - panties and brassieres).
Workers wages were also reported under another corporate name
- Sara Lee Branded Apparel.
The investigation revealed that employment at the subject firm
declined comparing 2006 with January through July 2007 worker
count.
The subject firm is shifting its cutting of fabric into pieces
operation from Vega Baja, Puerto Rico to countries (Dominican
Republic and Honduras) that are beneficiary countries under the
Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act.
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 do not possess skills that are easily transferable.
Competitive conditions within the industry are adverse.
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 Dominican Republic and
Honduras 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 Playtex Puerto Rico, Sara Lee Branded Apparel,
Vega Baja, Puerto Rico who became totally or partially
separated from employment on or after August 29, 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 9th day of October 2007
/s/ Linda G. Poole

______________________________
LINDA G. POOLE
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance