DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-39,176

THE FASHION GROUP
LAFAYETTE, 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
eligibility 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 May 7, 2001 and filed on behalf of workers at The
Fashion Group, LaFayette, Tennessee. The workers are engaged in
activities related to the production of embroidered jackets and
shirts. The workers are not separately identifiable by product
line.
The investigation revealed significant declines in sales and
employment at the subject company in the first quarter of 2001
compared to the same period in 2000. Additionally, the company
showed increased imports in 2000.
The Department of Labor conducted a survey of the subject
company's major customers regarding their purchases of embroidered
jackets and shirts.
The survey revealed that purchases of embroidered jackets and
shirts from the subject company had been replaced by import
purchases.
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 embroidered jackets and shirts produced
at the subject company 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 certifications:
"All workers of The Fashion Group, LaFayette, Tennessee,
engaged in activities related to the production of embroidered
jackets and shirts, who became totally or partially separated
from employment on or after April 17, 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 11th day of June, 2001

/s/ Edward A. Tomchick
______________________________
EDWARD A. TOMCHICK
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance