DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-42,334

PINE STATE KNITWEAR COMPANY, INC.
MT. AIRY, NORTH CAROLINA

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 November 1, 2002, in
response to a petition filed on behalf of workers at
Pine State Knitwear Company, Inc., Mt. Airy, North Carolina. The
workers are engaged in employment related to the production of
sweaters.
The investigation revealed that sales, production and
employment at the subject firm decreased during the period under
investigation.
U.S. imports of men/boys and women/girls sweaters increased
during the twelve-month period ending March 2002 over the
corresponding twelve-month period ending March 2001. The ratio
of U.S. imports to U.S. shipments was greater than 100% over the
twelve-month period ending March 2002.
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 sweaters manufactured at Pine State
Knitwear Company, Inc., Mt. Airy, North Carolina, contributed
importantly to the decline in sales or production 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 Pine State Knitwear Company, Inc., Mt. Airy,
North Carolina, who became totally or partially separated
from employment on or after October 21, 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 19th day of November, 2002.

/s/ Elliott S. Kushner

______________________________
ELLIOTT S. KUSHNER
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance