DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-40,630

U.S.A. APPAREL ENTERPRISES, INC.
FALL RIVER, MASSACHUSETTS


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 January 22, 2002, in
response to a petition filed by a company official on behalf of
workers at U.S.A. Apparel Enterprises, Inc. Fall River,
Massachusetts. The workers are engaged in employment related to
the production of women's apparel.
The investigation revealed that sales, production, and
employment at the subject firm decreased during the period under
investigation.


From 1999 to 2000, U.S. imports of women's and girls
dresses, skirts, slacks and shorts increased absolutely and
relative to U.S. shipments. In the twelve months ending
September 2001 compared to the twelve months ending September
2000, U.S. imports of women's and girls dresses, skirts, slacks
and shorts continued to increase absolutely and relative to U.S.
shipments. The U.S. import/shipment ratio for each of the
women's and girls apparel categories listed above exceeded 100
percent in 2000.
Conclusion
After careful review of the facts obtained in the
investigation, I conclude that increases in imports of articles
like or directly competitive with those produced by U.S.A.
Apparel Enterprises, Inc. Fall River, Massachusetts, contributed
importantly to the decline in sales or production and to the
total or partial separation of workers at that firm. In
accordance with the provisions of the Trade Act, I make the
following certification:



"All workers at U.S.A. Apparel Enterprises, Inc., Fall
River, Massachusetts, who became totally or partially
separated from employment on or after November 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 19th day of March 2002.


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