DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-38,033

WTTC, INCORPORATED
CUTTING DEPARTMENT
RAYMONDVILLE, TEXAS

Certification Regarding Eligibility
To Apply for Worker Adjustment Assistance

In accordance with Section 223 of the Trade Act of 1974 (19
USC 2273) as amended by the Omnibus Trade and Competitiveness Act
of 1988 (P. L. 100-418), the Department of Labor herein presents
the results of an investigation regarding certification of eligi-
bility to apply for worker adjustment assistance.
In order to make an affirmative determination and issue a
certification of eligibility to apply for adjustment assistance
each of the group eligibility requirements of Section 222 of the
Act must be met. It is determined in this case that all of the
requirements have been met.
The investigation was initiated in response to a petition
received on August 28, 2000 and filed on behalf of workers at
WTTC, Inc., Cutting Department, Raymondville, Texas. Grupo
Estrella Azul is the parent company of WTTC, Inc. The workers
cut and embroidered women's jeans.
The investigation revealed that cutting and embroidery work
was transferred from the subject facility to a facility in a
foreign country in July 2000. Workers at the subject facility
were laid off in July and August 2000.
Denim material cut and embroidered at the subject facility
was sewn into women's jeans at the Grupo Estrella Azul facility
abroad. The women's jeans were then shipped from the foreign
facility to the United States for distribution to customers here.
Company imports of women's jeans increased in January-July 2000
compared to the same period in 1999(est.).
United States imports of women's and girls' slacks and
shorts increased in 1999 compared to 1998. In 1998, the ratio of
imports to U.S. shipments was estimated to exceed 143%.
Conclusion
After careful review of the facts obtained in the investi-
gation, I conclude that increases of imports of articles like or
directly competitive with women's jeans produced at WTTC, Inc.,
Cutting Department, Raymondville, Texas contributed importantly
to the decline in sales or production and to the total or partial
separation of workers of that firm. In accordance with the
provisions of the Act, I make the following certification:
"All workers of WTTC, Inc., Cutting Department,
Raymondville, Texas who became totally or partially
separated from employment on or after August 18, 1999
through two years from the date of certification are
eligible to apply for adjustment assistance under Section
223 of the Trade Act of 1974."

Signed in Washington, D. C. this 3rd day of October, 2000
/s/ Linda G. Poole

LINDA G. POOLE
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance