DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-64,848

OZARK MOUNTAIN APPAREL
MONETT, MISSOURI

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 January 9, 2009 in response
to a petition filed by a Missouri State Agency Representative on
behalf of former workers of Ozark Mountain Apparel, Monett, Missouri.
Workers at the subject firm produced men's and boys' coats, jackets,
vests, and ski apparel.
This facility is part of a vertically integrated operation with
its sister plant located in Purdy, Missouri. Fabric is cut in Monett.
The cut fabric is shipped to the Purdy Plant where the final product
is assembled, then shipped back to Monett for distribution to
customers.
The investigation revealed that employment, sales, and
production at the subject firm decreased absolutely upon its closure
in December 2008.
United States aggregate imports of men's and boys' coats,
jackets, vests, and ski apparel were very high relative to U.S.
shipments in 2007, and increased relative to U.S. shipments in
January to September 2008 compared with the same period in 2007.
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 those produced by Ozark Mountain Apparel, Monett,
Missouri, contributed to the total or partial separation of workers
and to the decline in sales or production and at that firm or
subdivision. In accordance with the provisions of the Act, I make the
following certification:
"All workers at Ozark Mountain Apparel, Monett, Missouri who
became totally or partially separated from employment on or
after January 8, 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 26th day of January 2009

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