DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Employment and Training Administration
TA-W-39,864
U.S. CONSOLIDATION, INC.
NEWARK, NEW JERSEY

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 on August 20, 2001, and
filed by UNITE, Local 10, on behalf of workers at U.S.
Consolidation, Inc., Newark, New Jersey. The workers produce
women's and misses' outerwear: coats, jackets, sweaters.
The investigation revealed that sales and employment at the
subject firm decreased during the relevant periods.
The garments produced by the subject firm 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. Investigative findings
revealed that aggregate U.S. imports of women's coats are at
historically high levels, having increased boldly in 2000 and in
year-to-date 2001. The ratio of imported women's coats to
domestic shipments is in excess of 500% throughout the period
under consideration. The corresponding ratio for women's
sweaters is over 350%.
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 women's and misses' outerwear produced
at U.S. Consolidation, Inc., Newark, New Jersey, 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 U.S. Consolidation, Inc., Newark, New
Jersey, who became totally or partially separated from
employment on or after July 31, 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 12th day of March, 2002.
/s/ Linda G. Poole
______________________________
LINDA G. POOLE
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance