DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-65,106

WILSON SPORTING GOODS
TEAM SPORTS DIVISION
SPARTA, TENNESSEE

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 February 4, 2009 in response
to a petition filed on behalf of workers of Wilson Sporting Goods,
Team Sports Division, Sparta, Tennessee. The workers produce team
sports uniforms.
The investigation revealed that production and employment at
Sparta declined from 2007 to 2008.
The investigation also revealed that the subject firm increased
company imports of team sport uniforms like those manufactured at the
Sparta plant in the above periods. The increased imports contributed
importantly to the declines in production and employment at the plant.
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 team sports uniforms produced at Wilson Sporting
Goods, Team Sports Division, Sparta, Tennessee, 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 Wilson Sporting Goods, Team Sports Division,
Sparta, Tennessee who became totally or partially separated from
employment on or after January 26, 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 13th day of February 2009


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