DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-70,798

SOUTHWEST APPAREL CORP.
HOHENWALD, TENNESSEE

Certification Regarding Eligibility
To Apply for Worker Adjustment Assistance

In accordance with Section 223 of the Trade Act of 1974, as
amended ("Act"), 19 U.S.C. § 2273, the Department of Labor
herein presents the results of an investigation regarding
certification of eligibility to apply for worker adjustment
assistance.
The group eligibility requirements for workers of a Firm
under Section 222(a) of the Act, 19 U.S.C. § 2272(a), are
satisfied if the following criteria are met:
(1) a significant number or proportion of the workers in such
workers' firm have become totally or partially separated, or
are threatened to become totally or partially separated; and

(2)(A)(i) the sales or production, or both, of such firm have
decreased absolutely; and

(ii)(I) imports of articles or services like or directly
competitive with articles produced or services supplied by
such firm have increased; and

(iii) the increase in imports described in clause (ii)
contributed importantly to such workers' separation or
threat of separation and to the decline in the sales or
production of such firm.

The investigation was initiated in response to a petition
filed on May 29, 2009 on behalf of workers of Southwest Apparel
Corp., Hohenwald, Tennessee (Southwest Apparel). The workers
produced men's and boys' zippered sweatshirts; work jackets.
The investigation revealed that workers of Southwest
Apparel who were engaged in employment related to men's and
boys' zippered sweatshirts; work jackets, meet the criteria
for certification.
Section 222(a)(1) has been met because a significant
number or proportion of the workers at the workers' firm have
been separated comparing the employment count for the period
of January through May 2009 to the same period in 2008.
Section 222(a)(2)(A)(i) has been met because the sales
and/or production of men's and boys' zippered sweatshirts;
work jackets by Southwest Apparel have decreased comparing the
period of January through May 2009 to the same period in 2008.
Section 222(a)(2)(A)(ii) has been met because imports of
articles like or directly competitive with men's and boys'
zippered sweatshirts; work jackets by Southwest Apparel have
increased. Specifically, aggregate United States imports to
manufacturers' shipment ratio have increased comparing the first
quarter of 2009 to the same period in 2008.
Finally, Section 222(a)(2)(A)(iii) has been met because
the increased aggregate United States imports of men's and
boys' apparel - other coats, jackets, vests, and ski apparel
like and directly competitive with articles produced by the
workers' firm contributed importantly to the worker group
separations and sales/production declines at Southwest
Apparel.
Conclusion
After careful review of the facts obtained in the
investigation, I determine that workers of Southwest Apparel
Corp., Hohenwald, Tennessee, who were engaged in employment
related to men's and boys' zippered sweatshirts; work jackets
meet the worker group certification criteria under Section
222(a) of the Act, 19 U.S.C. § 2272(a). In accordance with
Section 223 of the Act, 19 U.S.C. § 2273, I make the following
certification:











"All workers of Southwest Apparel Corp., Hohenwald,
Tennessee, who became totally or partially separated from
employment on or after May 27, 2008, through two years from
the date of certification, and all workers in the group
threatened with total or partial separation from employment
on the date of certification through two years from the
date of certification, are eligible to apply for adjustment
assistance under Chapter 2 of Title II of the Trade Act of
1974, as amended."
Signed in Washington, D.C., this 3rd day of August, 2009.


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