DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-62,431

BIERNER HAT COMPANY
A DIVISION OF F&M HAT COMPANY
DALLAS, 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), 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 November 8, 2007 in
response to a petition filed by a company official on behalf of
workers of Bierner Hat Company, a division of F&M Hat Company,
Dallas, Texas. Workers at the subject firm produce ladies dress
and casual headwear in wool felt and straw.
Workers of the subject firm were certified eligible to apply
for trade adjustment assistance based on increased company imports
of headwear, under petition number TA-W-57,594, which expired on
August 17, 2007.
The investigation revealed that employment at the subject firm
decreased after the August 17, 2007 expiration of the certification
described above.
The subject firm shifted some of its production of ladies
dress and casual headwear in wool felt and straw from Dallas,
Texas, to China.
Moreover, the investigation revealed that company imports of
ladies dress and casual headwear in wool felt and straw are likely
to increase.
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 that there was a shift in
production from the subject firm to a foreign country of articles
that are like or directly competitive with those produced by the
subject firm, 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 Bierner Hat Company, a division of F&M Hat
Company, Dallas, Texas, who became totally or partially
separated from employment on or after August 18, 2007 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 13th day of December 2007
/s/ Linda G. Poole

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