DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-38,774

VERA SPORTSWEAR, INC.
CHARLESTOWN, MASSACHUSETTS

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 March 5, 2001 in response
to a petition filed on behalf of workers at Vera Sportswear,
Inc., Charlestown, Massachusetts. The workers were engaged in
employment related to the production of ladies' apparel such as
skirts, dresses, blouses and pants.
The investigation revealed that production and employment at
the subject firm decreased during the period under investigation.
The investigation also disclosed that Vera Sportswear, Inc.
workers performed contract work for major garment customers who
market their garments through normal distribution channels. The
subject firm has been impacted by the high penetration of imports
in this market.
U.S. imports of women's and girls' skirts, dresses, blouses
and pants increased absolutely in the year 2000 as compared with
the same year period in 1999. The ratio of imports to domestic
shipments for these import categories have exceeded 100% 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 ladies' apparel including skirts,
dresses, blouses and pants, produced at Vera Sportswear, Inc.,
Charlestown, Massachusetts, 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 Vera Sportswear, Inc., Charlestown,
Massachusetts, who became totally or partially separated
from employment on or after February 5, 2000, 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 5th day of April, 2001.


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