DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-38,175

CAITAC MANUFACTURING, INC.
BELLINGHAM, WASHINGTON

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 October 2, 2000, and filed by workers on behalf of
workers at Caitac Manufacturing, Inc., Bellingham, Washington.
The workers were engaged in employment related to the production
of men's denim jeans.







The investigation revealed that production and employment at
the subject firm declined in the relevant period. The plant
closed September 2000.
A petition for NAFTA has been filed on behalf of workers of
the subject firm (NAFTA-4173). A determination on that case will
be issued concurrently with this decision.
The subject firm has been impacted by the high penetration
of imports in this market. United States' imports of men's jeans
increased absolutely in 1999 as compared to 1998 and increased in
the 12 months through June 2000 as compared with the same period
in 1999. The ratio of imports to domestic shipments in this
category was over 180 percent in 1999.
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 mens' jeans produced at Caitac Manu-
facturing, Inc., Bellingham, Washington, 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 Caitac Manufacturing, Inc., Bellingham,
Washington, who became totally or partially separated from
employment on or after September 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 11th day of January 2001.

/s/ Linda G. Poole

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