DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-42,082

NORDIC GEAR, INC.
NEWPORT, PENNSYLVANIA


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 9, 2002, and filed by a company official on
behalf of workers at Nordic Gear, Inc., Newport, Pennsylvania. The
workers are engaged in employment related to the production of
fleece clothing: robes, venture hats, battery heated socks,
sweatpants, and accessories. The workers are not separately
identifiable by product line.
Investigative findings revealed that sales, production, and
employment declined at the subject firm during the period of
January through August 2002 as compared with the same time period
in 2001.
The investigation revealed that the subject firm increased
their imports of fleece clothing during the period under
investigation.
Furthermore, the Department of Labor surveyed the subject
firm's major customers regarding their purchases of fleece clothing
during 2000, 2001 and January through August 2002. The survey
revealed that a major customer increased their imports of fleece
clothing during the relevant period.
A petition for NAFTA-Transitional Adjustment Assistance has
been filed on behalf of workers at the subject firm (NAFTA-7552).
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 Nordic Gear,
Inc., Newport, Pennsylvania 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 Nordic Gear, Inc., Newport, Pennsylvania who
became totally or partially separated from employment on or
after August 28, 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 at Washington, D.C., this 28th day of October, 2002.



/s/Elliott S. Kushner________
ELLIOTT S. KUSHNER
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance