DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-64,480

BLOCK CORPORATION
AMERICAN TROUSER DIVISION
TUPELO, MISSISSIPPI

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 November 20, 2008 in
response to a petition filed by workers on behalf of workers of
Block Corporation, American Trouser Division, Tupelo,
Mississippi. The workers mark and scale patterns for men's
pants.
Employment at the subject firm declined when production
ceased in December 2008.
The investigation revealed that the subject firm has
shifted its production of marking and scaling patterns for men's
pants to a country (Dominican Republic) that is party to a free
trade agreement with the United States.
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 Block Corporation, American Trouser
Division, Tupelo, Mississippi who became totally separated
from employment on November 17, 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 at Washington, D.C., this 2nd day of January 2009


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