DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-39,930

VC SPORTSWEAR
NEW YORK, NEW YORK

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 September 4, 2001 and filed by UNITE! Local 10, on behalf
of workers at VC Sportswear, New York, New York. The workers produced
infants' and children's wear.
The investigation revealed that sales, production, and employment
at the subject firm declined to zero on August 28, 2001 when the New
York City plant was shut down.
Investigative findings further revealed that the infant's and
children's wear produced by VC Sportswear, New York, New York is
marketed through normal retail channels. Thus the articles manu-
factured by the subject firm have been impacted importantly by the
high penetration of imports into this market.




Aggregate U.S. imports of infants' and children's apparel
increased in 2000 compared with 1999, while the import-to-shipments
ratio remained above 600% during the same relevant period. Latest
available data reveal that aggregate imports increased again in
2001, and the import-to-shipments ratio (I/S) rose above 702%.
Conclusion
After careful review of the facts obtained in the investigation,
I conclude that increases of imports of articles like or directly
competitive with infants' and children's wear produced at VC
Sportswear, New York, New York 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 VC Sportswear, New York, New York engaged in
employment related to the production of infants' and children's
wear who became totally or partially separated from employment on
or after August 30, 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 at Washington, D.C., this 13th day of February, 2002.



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