DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-41,565

WASHINGTON GARMENT COMPANY, INC.
WASHINGTON, NORTH CAROLINA


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 May 20, 2002 in response
to a petition filed by a company official on behalf of workers at
Washington Garment Company, Inc., Washington, North Carolina.
Workers are engaged in activity related to the production of
children's dresses.
The investigation revealed that production at the subject
company ceased in September 2001 and that the subject company
ceased to operate in October 2001.
The investigation also revealed that the subject company's
import purchases of children's dresses increased during the
relevant time period.
Currently, there is a NAFTA-TAA petition investigation
pending on behalf of the workers at Washington Garment Company,
Inc., Washington, North Carolina, NAFTA-6264.
Aggregate data indicate increased imports of children's
dresses during the period of decline at the subject company.
Conclusion
After careful review of the facts obtained in the
investigation, I conclude that increases of imports of articles
like or directly competitive with those produced at Washington
Garment Company, Inc., Washington, North Carolina, 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 Washington Garment Company, Inc.,
Washington, North Carolina, engaged in the production of
children's dresses, who are totally or partially separated
from employment on or after April 29, 2001, 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 24th day of July 2002.

/s/ Edward A. Tomchick
______________________________
EDWARD A. TOMCHICK
Director, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance