DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-55,565

WING TAI COMPANY
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA

Certification Regarding Eligibility
To Apply for Worker Adjustment Assistance and
Alternative Trade Adjustment Assistance

In accordance with Section 223 of the Trade Act of 1974 (19
USC 2273), as amended, the Department of Labor herein presents the
results of its 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 Trade Adjustment
Assistance, the group eligibility requirements in either paragraph
(a)(2)(A) or (a)(2)(B) of Section 222 of the Trade Act must be met.
It is determined in this case that the requirements of (a)(2)(A) of
Section 222 have been met.
The investigation was initiated on September 7, 2004 in
response to a petition filed on behalf of workers of the Wing Tai
Company, San Francisco, California. The workers of the subject
firm produced women's dresses and shirts.
The investigation revealed that sales, production, and
employment at the subject firm decreased prior to the change of
ownership of the firm in March 2004.
The investigation further revealed that aggregate United
States imports for consumption of women's and girls' tops were at a
very high level, over 500 percent of U.S. shipments, in 2002.
Imports of women's and girls' dresses also were at a high level,
over 180 percent of U.S. shipments in 2002, and increased
substantially in 2003.
In addition, in order for the Department to issue a
certification of eligibility to apply for ATAA, the group
eligibility requirements of Section 246 of the Trade Act must be
met. The Department has determined in this case that the
requirements of Section 246 have been met.
A significant number of workers at the division are age 50 or
over and possess skills that are not easily transferable.
Competitive conditions within the industry are adverse.
Conclusion
After careful review of the facts obtained in the
investigation, I determine that increases of imports of articles
like or directly competitive with women's dresses and shirts
produced at the Wing Tai Company, San Francisco, California
contributed importantly to the total or partial separation of
workers and to the decline in sales or production and at that firm
or subdivision. In accordance with the provisions of the Act, I
make the following certification:


"All workers of the Wing Tai Company, San Francisco,
California who became totally or partially separated from
employment on or after September 3, 2003 through two years
from the date of certification are eligible to apply for
adjustment assistance under Section 223 of the Trade Act of
1974, and are also eligible to apply for alternative trade
adjustment assistance under Section 246 of the Trade Act of
1974."
Signed in Washington, D. C. this 7th day of October 2004.

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