DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-63,526

ST. JOHN KNITS
SAMPLE MANUFACTURING DEPARTMENT
IRVINE, CALIFORNIA

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 June 12, 2008, in response to
a petition filed on behalf of workers of St. John Knits, Sample
Manufacturing Department, Irvine, California. The workers design
samples for women's knit apparel.
The investigation revealed that employment in the Sample
Manufacturing Department at the subject facility declined in 2007
compared with 2006, and continued to decline in January through June
2008.
The designs are the basis for St. John Knits production of
women's apparel. Corporate-wide production of women's knit apparel
declined in January through June 2008 when compared to the same period
of the previous year.
United States aggregate imports of women's and girl's tops and
bottoms increased absolutely and relative to U.S. shipments between
2006 and 2007. The import/shipment ratio in both categories exceeded
100 percent.
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 women's knit apparel produced at St. John Knits,
Sample Manufacturing Department, Irvine, California 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 St. John Knits, Sample Manufacturing Department,
Irvine, California, who became totally or partially separated
from employment on or after June 11, 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 18th day of August, 2008



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