DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-55,672

AMERICAN UMBRELLA CO., INC.
RIDGEWOOD, NEW YORK

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 23, 2004 in
response to a petition filed by the Union of Needletraders,
Industrial and Textile Employees, AFL-CIO, CLC on behalf of workers
of American Umbrella, Ridgewood, New York. Workers at the subject
firm produced umbrellas and duffle bags; workers were not
separately identifiable by product line.
The investigation revealed that production and employment at
the subject firm declined absolutely with its closure on August 3,
2004.
The Department of Labor surveyed the subject firm's major
declining customers regarding their purchases of umbrellas. This
survey revealed increased imports of umbrellas during the period of
January through August 2004 when compared to the same period in
2003.
In accordance with Section 246 the Trade Act of 1974 (26 USC
2813), as amended, the Department of Labor herein presents the
results of its investigation regarding certification of eligibility
to apply for alternative trade adjustment assistance (ATAA) for
older workers.
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 facility are age 50 or
over and do not possess skills that are 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 umbrellas produced at American
Umbrella, Ridgewood, New York contributed importantly to the total
or partial separation of workers and to the decline in sales or
production at that firm or subdivision. In accordance with the
provisions of the Act, I make the following certification:
"All workers of American Umbrella, Ridgewood, New York who
became totally or partially separated from employment on or
after August 27, 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 12th day of November 2004


/s/ Linda G. Poole

_____________________________
LINDA G. POOLE
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance