DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-38,319

HIT APPAREL, INC.
ATHENS, TENNESSEE

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 on November 13, 2000 in
response to a petition filed on behalf of workers at Hit Apparel,
Inc., Athens, Tennessee. The workers were engaged in employment
related to the production of children's pajamas and maternity
pants.
Workers of Hit Apparel, Inc., Athens, Tennessee, were
previously certified eligible to apply for TAA under petition TA-
W-34,412, which expired April 28, 2000.
The investigation revealed that production and employment at
the subject firm decreased during the period under investigation.


In addition, the manufacturer for whom the subject company
performed contract work for the production of pajamas and
maternity pants increased its imports of pajamas and maternity
pants in the relevant period causing separations at the subject
plant.
The investigation further revealed that United States
imports of pajamas and other nightwear increased absolutely in
1999 as compared to 1998 and in the twelve months through March
2000 as compared with the same period in 1999. The ratio of
imports to domestic shipments for pajamas and other nightwear is
over 350% 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 pajamas and maternity pants produced
at Hit Apparel, Inc., Athens, Tennessee, 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 Hit Apparel, Inc., Athens, Tennessee, who
became totally or partially separated from employment on or
after April 29, 2000, through two years from the date of
certification are eligible to apply for adjustment assis-

tance under Section 223 of the Trade Act of 1974."

Signed in Washington, D. C. this 7th day of December, 2000.

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