DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-38,315

DEBON LEATHER GOODS
HACKENSACK, NEW JERSEY

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.
The investigation was initiated in response to a petition
received on November 13, 2000, and filed on behalf of workers at
DeBon Leather goods, Hackensack, New Jersey. The workers
manufactured leather handbags, portfolios, agendas, and brief
cases.
The investigation further revealed that sales and production
declined during the relevant period and the company closed in
May 2000.
The subject firm replaced production at the Hackensack,
New Jersey, facility with imports, moving to a new location
domestically.



The Department conducted a survey of the subject firm's
customer regarding its purchases from the subject firm during the
relevant period. The survey revealed that the respondent does
not import articles like or directly competitive with articles
produced by the subject firm.
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 leather handbags, portfolios, agenda
and briefcases produced at DeBon Leather goods, Hackensack, New
Jersey, 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 DeBon Leather goods, Hackensack, New Jersey,
who became totally or partially separated from employment
on or after October 20, 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 2nd day of February 2001.


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