DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-38,193

CONTRACT APPAREL INC.
EL PASO, TEXAS

Negative Determination 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.
The investigation was initiated in response to a petition
received on October 10, 2000, and filed on behalf of workers at
Contract Apparel Inc., El Paso, Texas. The workers perform some
finishing on apparel produced abroad, but they primarily perform
warehousing and distribution services.
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:
(1) that a significant number or proportion of the workers in
the workers' firm, or an appropriate subdivision thereof,
have become totally or partially separated,
or are threatened to become totally or partially
separated;

(2) that sales or production, or both, of the firm or
subdivision have decreased absolutely; and

(3) that increases of imports of articles like or directly
competitive with articles produced by the firm or
appropriate subdivision have contributed importantly to
the separations, or threat thereof, and to the absolute
decline in sales or production.

The investigation was initiated in response to a petition
received on October 10, 2000, and filed on behalf of workers at
Contract Apparel Inc., El Paso, Texas. The workers perform some
finishing on apparel produced abroad, but they primarily perform
warehousing and distribution services.
The investigation revealed that criterion (3) has not been
met.
A petition for NAFTA-Transitional Adjustment Assistance has
been filed on behalf of workers at the subject firm (NAFTA - 4201).
A decision on that petition will be made concurrently with this
determination.
This investigation revealed that in the relevant time period
the subject firm has not transferred abroad any functions performed
by workers at the El Paso facility and does not import the finally
finished and inspected articles replacing work at the workers'
firm. The investigation further revealed that separations were
caused by seasonal market fluctuations.

Conclusion
After careful review, I determine that all workers of Contract
Apparel Inc., El Paso, Texas are denied eligibility to apply for
adjustment assistance under Section 223 of the Trade Act of 1974.
Signed at Washington, D.C., this 26th day of December, 2000.

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