DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-39,274

BERNE APPAREL, INC.
PORTLAND, INDIANA PLANT
PORTLAND, INDIANA


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 May 21, 2001, and filed
on behalf of workers at Berne Apparel, Inc., Portland Plant,
Portland, Indiana. The workers produce work clothing and hunting
apparel.
This investigation revealed that sales and employment
declined during the period of this investigation.
Further findings of the investigation revealed that the
subject firm is increasingly relying on purchases of work
clothing and hunting apparel from abroad.

Currently, the workers are under an existing investigation
for NAFTA Transitional Adjustment Assistance, NAFTA #4870.
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 work clothing and hunting apparel
produced at Berne Apparel, Inc., Portland Plant, Portland,
Indiana, contributed importantly to the decline in sales or
production and to the total or partial separation of workers of
the subject firm. In accordance with the provisions of the Act,
I make the following certification:
"All workers of Berne Apparel, Inc., Portland Plant,
Portland, Indiana, engaged in employment related to the
production of work clothing and hunting apparel, who became
totally or partially separated from employment on or after
May 4, 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 1st day of August, 2001.


/s/ Linda G. Poole

LINDA G. POOLE
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance