DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-38,856

GARAN MANUFACTURING
OAK GROVE, LOUISIANA

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 has been determined that all criteria in this
case have been met.
The investigation was initiated on March 19, 2001, in response
to a petition filed on behalf of workers at Garan Manufacturing,
Oak Grove, Louisiana. The workers are engaged in activities
related to the production of children, men's and women's clothing.
The workers are not separately identifiable by product line.
The investigation revealed that in March 2001, Garan
Manufacturing closed the Oak Grove, Louisiana plant. The
production at that plant has been transferred to another domestic
plant and to a foreign location.
The investigation revealed that the apparel produced at Garan
Manufacturing are marketed through normal retail channels. Thus,
the articles manufactured by the subject firm have been impacted
importantly by the high penetration of imports into this market.
U.S. imports of men's and boys' apparel such shirts, trousers,
slacks, and pants, and women's and girls' blouses, shirts, slacks,
shorts, skirts increased in 1999 compared to 1998 and in the twelve
months through September 2000 compared to the same period in 1999.
In 1999, the ratio of imports to U.S. shipments was more than 100
percent for these categories.
Conclusion
After careful review of the facts obtained in the
investigation, I conclude that increases of imports of articles
like or directly competitive with articles produced at Garan
Manufacturing, Oak Grove, Louisiana, 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 Garan Manufacturing, Oak Grove, Louisiana, who
became totally or partially separated from employment on or
after February 20, 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 26th day of July, 2001.


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