DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-62,598

MATTHEW COLE, INC.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA

Certification Regarding Eligibility
To Apply For Worker Adjustment Assistance and
Negative Determination Regarding Eligibility To Apply For
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 December 21, 2007, in
response to a petition filed by a company official on behalf of
workers of Matthew Cole, Inc., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The
workers produce a variety of men's, women's and children's apparel,
particularly shirts.
The investigation revealed that employment and sales of the
subject firm declined in 2007 compared with 2006.
United States aggregate imports of both men's and boys' tops,
and women's and girls' tops, increased sharply in January through
June 2007 and were tenfold greater than U.S. shipments during that
same period. Those imports contributed importantly to the worker
separations at Matthew Cole, Inc., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
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 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.
The group eligibility criteria for the ATAA program

that the Department must consider under Section 246 of the

Trade Act are:

1. Whether a significant number of workers in the
workers' firm are 50 years of age or older.

2. Whether the workers in the workers' firm possess skills
that are not easily transferable.

3. The competitive conditions within the workers' industry
(i.e., conditions within the industry are adverse).

The Department has determined that criterion (1) has not
been met.
The investigation revealed that the subject firm did not
employ a significant number or workers who are 50 years of age or
older. Significant means three or more in a workforce of fewer
than 50 workers.
Conclusion
After careful review of the facts obtained in the
investigation, I determine that increases of imports of articles
like or directly competitive with apparel produced at Matthew Cole,
Inc., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 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 Matthew Cole, Inc., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
who became totally or partially separated from employment on
or after December 21, 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."
I further determine that all workers of Matthew Cole, Inc.,
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania are denied eligibility to apply for
alternative trade adjustment assistance under Section 246 of the
Trade Act of 1974."
Signed in Washington, D. C., this 15th day of January, 2008

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