DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-42,100

SAVANE INTERNATIONAL
FABRIC CUTTING FACILITY
EL PASO, TEXAS

Negative Determination 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 eligi-
bility 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:
(1) that a significant number or proportion of the workers in
the workers' firm, or an appropriate subdivision thereof,
have become totally or partially separated, or are
threatened to become totally or partially separated;

(2) that sales or production, or both, of the firm or subdi-
vision have decreased absolutely; and

(3) that increases of imports of articles like or directly
competitive with articles produced by the firm or appro-
priate subdivision have contributed importantly to the
separations, or threat thereof, and to the absolute
decline in sales or production.




The investigation was initiated on August 23, 2002 in response
to a petition filed on behalf of workers at Savane International,
Fabric Cutting Facility, El Paso, Texas. The subject firm is a
division of Tropical Sportswear International Corporation. Workers
cut fabric for affiliated plants that sew men's pants.
The investigation revealed that criterion (3) has not been
met.
U.S. imports of men's and boys' trousers, slacks, jeans and
pants decreased absolutely in 2001 compared to 2000 and in the
twelve month period ended June 2002 compared to the twelve month
period ended June 2001.
The subject firm did not import cut fabric for men's pants
during the relevant period.
The Department surveyed the major customers of Tropical
Sportswear International Corporation regarding their purchases of
men's pants during 2000, 2001 and January through June 2002 over
the corresponding 2001 period. The survey revealed that none of
the respondents increased their purchases of imports while
decreasing their purchases from the subject firm during the
relevant period.
The investigation further revealed that the company closed its
El Paso cutting facility and consolidated all plant production with
another domestic company cutting facility.



Conclusion
After careful review, I determine that all workers of Savane
International, Fabric Cutting Facility, El Paso, Texas are denied
eligibility to apply for adjustment assistance under Section 223 of
the Trade Act of 1974.

Signed in Washington, D. C. this 30th day of January, 2003


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