DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-62,557

SPORTS BELLE, INC.
KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE

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 an 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 December 12, 2007 in
response to a petition filed by a company official on behalf of
workers of Sports Belle, Inc., Knoxville, Tennessee. Workers at
the subject firm produce athletic uniforms.
The investigation revealed that employment at the subject firm
declined in January through November 2007, when compared to the
same time period in 2006.
Furthermore, the subject firm has shifted a portion of the
production of athletic uniforms to a country (Dominican Republic)
that is a beneficiary country 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 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 there has been a shift in
production from the workers' firm or subdivision to the Dominican
Republic 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 Sports Belle, Inc., Knoxville, Tennessee, who
became totally separated from employment on December 6, 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 at Washington, D.C., this 20th day of December 2007


/s/Linda G. Poole

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