DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-41,885

CUSTOM SEWING INC.
RIB LAKE, WISCONSIN

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 July 29, 2002, in
response to a petition filed by a company official on behalf of
workers at Custom Sewing Inc., Rib Lake, Wisconsin. The workers
are engaged in employment related to the production of uppers
for shoes and boots.
This investigation revealed that sales, production and
employment at the subject plant decreased during the period
under investigation.


The Department of Labor surveyed major customers of the
subject firm regarding their purchases of uppers for boots and
shoes in 2000-2001 and January to July, 2001-2002 time periods.
Respondents indicated that they reduced purchases from the
subject firm and either increased imports absolutely or
increased their reliance on imports in one or more sets of time
periods.
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 by Custom
Sewing Inc., Rib Lake, Wisconsin, 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 Trade Act, I make the following certification:
"All workers at Custom Sewing Inc., Rib Lake, Wisconsin,
who became totally or partially separated from employment
on or after July 12, 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 19th day of September, 2002


/s/ Richard Church
_____________________________
RICHARD CHURCH
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance