DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-64,357

LE ROCATO MANUFACTURING, INCORPORATED
PLAINFIELD, CONNECTICUT

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 (TAA), 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 November 5, 2008 in
response to a petition filed by a State Workforce Office on
behalf of the workers of Le Rocato Manufacturing, Incorporated,
Plainfield, Connecticut. The workers are engaged in activities
related to the production of sewn textile products such as
aprons, potholders, oven mitts, napkins, placemats, coats, table
clothes, and fabric bags. The workers are not separately
identifiable by products.
The worker group was under an existing TAA certification
(TA-W-60,173) that expired on November 22, 2008.
The investigation revealed that employment and sales
declined at the subject facility during the relevant period.
The Department of Labor surveyed the subject firm's major
declining customer regarding purchases of sewn textile products
such as aprons, potholders, oven mitts, napkins, placemats,
coats, table clothes, and fabric bags, in 2006, 2007 and January
through October 2008 over the corresponding 2007 period. The
survey revealed increased import purchases during the relevant
period.
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 sewn textile products
produced by Le Rocato Manufacturing, Incorporated, Plainfield,
Connecticut, 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 Le Rocato Manufacturing, Incorporated,
Plainfield, Connecticut, who became totally or partially
separated from employment on or after November 23, 2008
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 12th day of January 2009

/s/ Elliott S. Kushner
______________________________
ELLIOTT S. KUSHNER
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance