[Federal Register: May 25, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 101)]
[Notices]               
[Page 30199]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr25my06-98]                         

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

[TA-W-58,780]

 
Direct Source Industries, San Francisco, CA; Notice of Revised 
Determination on Reconsideration

    By letter dated April 10, 2006, a petitioner requested 
administrative reconsideration regarding the Department's Negative 
Determination Regarding Eligibility to Apply for Worker Adjustment 
Assistance, applicable to the subject firm. The determination was 
issued on March 3, 2006. On March 24, 2006, the Notice of determination 
was published in the Federal Register (71 FR 14954). The denial was 
based on the Department's finding that the workers do not produce an 
article or support a domestic production facility.
    In the request for reconsideration, the petitioner asserts that, 
prior to the company's closure in October 2005, the workers were 
engaged in the production of garments (women's apparel).
    During the reconsideration investigation, a company official stated 
that the subject workers were engaged in various functions (cut, 
inspected, washed, and pressed etc.) related to the production of 
garments. Based on this information, the Department determines that the 
subject workers were engaged in the production of garment producers 
(women's and girls' tops).
    The investigation also revealed that aggregate U.S. imports of 
women's and girls tops increased significantly during the twelve month 
period ended June 2005 over the corresponding twelve month period ended 
June 2004 period. The ratio of aggregate United States imports of 
women's and girls' tops to United States shipments was well over 800 
percent in 2004. The ratio increased significantly during the twelve 
month period ending June 2005.
    The investigation further revealed that sales, production and 
employment at the subject plant declined during the relevant period.
    In accordance with section 246 the Trade Act of 1974 (26 U.S.C. 
2813), as amended, the Department 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, as amended, 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 firm 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 information obtained in the 
reconsideration investigation, I determine that increases of imports of 
articles like or directly competitive with women's apparel produced by 
Direct Source Industries, 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 Direct Source Industries, San Francisco, 
California, who became totally or partially separated from 
employment on or after February 2, 2005 through two years from the 
date of this certification, are eligible to apply for adjustment 
assistance under section 223 of the Trade Act of 1974, and are 
eligible to apply for alternative trade adjustment assistance under 
section 246 of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended.


    Signed in Washington, DC this 17th day of May 2006.
Elliott S. Kushner,
Certifying Officer, Division of Trade Adjustment Assistance.
 [FR Doc. E6-8055 Filed 5-24-06; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4510-30-P