DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-64,104

JOSEPH ABBOUD MANUFACTURING CORPORATION
A SUBSIDIARY OF JA APPAREL CORPORATION
NEW BEDFORD, MASSACHUSETTS

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 September 24, 2008 in
response to a petition filed by a company official on behalf of
workers of Joseph Abboud Manufacturing Corporation, a subsidiary of
JA Apparel Corporation, New Bedford, Massachusetts. The workers
produce men's suits, sportcoats and dress slacks/trousers. The
workers are not separately identifiable by product produced.
The investigation revealed that employment at the subject firm
declined in January through August 2008 when compared to the same
period of the previous year.
Production at the subject firm declined from 2006 through
August 2008.
Aggregate United States imports of men's and boys' suits
increased absolutely and relative to domestic shipments from 2006
to 2007. In 2007, the import/shipment ratio 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 the men's suits produced by
Joseph Abboud Manufacturing Corporation, a subsidiary of JA Apparel
Corporation, New Bedford, Massachusetts, 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 Joseph Abboud Manufacturing Corporation, a
subsidiary of JA Apparel Corporation, New Bedford,
Massachusetts, who become totally or partially separated from
employment on or after September 22, 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 7th day of October 2008.


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