DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-39,975

PLEATZ LLC
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 on September 10, 2001 in
response to a petition filed by UNITE! Local 62-32, on behalf of
workers at Pleatz LLC, New York, New York. The workers were
engaged in producing pleating & stitching on dresses for the
apparel industry.
The investigation revealed that sales, production, and employment
at the subject firm declined to zero on August 10, 2001 when the New
York City facility closed.
Investigative findings further revealed that the women's and
girls' dresses produced by Pleatz LLC, New York, New York 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.




Aggregate U.S. imports of women's and girls' dresses increased
in 2000 compared with 1999, while the import-to-shipments ratio
(I/S) stood at 150% during the same relevant period. Latest
available data reveal that the (I/S) ratio rose to 154.3% in 2001.
Conclusion
After careful review of the facts obtained in the investigation,
I conclude that increases of imports of articles like or directly
competitive with women's and girls' dresses produced at Pleatz LLC,
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 Pleatz LLC, New York, New York engaged in
employment related to the production of women's and girls'
dresses who became totally or partially separated from employment
on or after August 10, 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 16th day of April, 2002.



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