DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-38,263

COLUMBIA FOOTWEAR CORPORATION
HAZLETON, PENNSYLVANIA

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 30, 2000, and filed by a company official on
behalf of workers at Columbia Footwear Corporation, Hazleton,
Pennsylvania. The workers were engaged in activities related to
the production of shoes and boots. The workers are not separately
identifiable by product line.
Plant sales, production and employment declined during the
relevant period.


The investigation further revealed that the subject plant
ceased production and began relying on imported shoes and boots to
serve their domestic customer base during the relevant period.
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 shoes and boots contributed importantly
to the decline in sales or production and to the total or partial
separation of workers of Columbia Footwear Corporation, Hazleton,
Pennsylvania. In accordance with the provisions of the Act, I make
the following certification:
"All workers of Columbia Footwear Corporation, Hazleton,
Pennsylvania who became totally or partially separated from
employment on or after October 21, 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 27th day of November 2000

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