DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-42,163

VF IMAGEWEAR (WEST), INC.
SPARTA, TENNESSEE

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 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. It is determined in this case that all of the
requirements have been met.
The investigation was initiated on September 23, 2002 in
response to a petition filed by a company official on behalf of
workers at VF Imagewear (West), Inc., Sparta, Tennessee. The
workers produce men's work wear such as coveralls and pants.
A petition for the NAFTA-Transitional Adjustment Assistance
has been filed on behalf of workers at the subject plant (NAFTA -
07554).


The investigation revealed that plant employment and
production decreased during the period under investigation.
The investigation further revealed that the company
increased their imports during the relevant period.
Conclusion
After careful review of the facts obtained in the investi-
gation, I conclude that increases of imports of articles like
or directly competitive with men's work wear such as coveralls
and pants at VF Imagewear (West), Inc., Sparta, Tennessee,
contributed importantly to the decline in sales or and to the
total or partial separation of workers of that firm. In accor-
dance with the provisions of the Act, I make the following
certification:
"All workers of VF Imagewear (West), Inc., Sparta,
Tennessee, who became totally or partially separated from
employment on or after September 4, 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 7th day of October 2002.



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