DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-51,658

ELLIS HOSIERY MILLS, INC.
PLANT #2
HICKORY, 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, 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 sales and/or production have
decreased absolutely at the workers firm or subdivision and an
increase in imports of articles like or directly competitive with
articles produced by the workers' firm or subdivision contributed
importantly to workers' separation or threat of separation and to
the decline in the sales or production of the subject firm or
subdivision.
The investigation was initiated on May 1, 2003 in response to
a petition filed on behalf of workers at Ellis Hosiery Mills, Inc.,
Plant #2, Hickory, North Carolina. The workers at the subject firm
produced men's and women's socks.
The investigation revealed that production and employment at
the subject firm declined absolutely from 2001 to 2002 and during
the period of January through March 2003, when compared to the same
period in 2002. The subject firm closed on April 5, 2003.
The investigation further revealed that company imports of
men's and women's socks increased absolutely during the relevant
period.



Conclusion
After careful review of the facts obtained in the
investigation, I determine that increases of imports of articles
like or directly competitive with men's and women's socks produced
at Ellis Hosiery Mills, Inc., Plant #2, Hickory, North Carolina
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 Ellis Hosiery Mills, Inc., Plant #2, Hickory,
North Carolina who became totally or partially separated from
employment on or after April 30, 2002 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 5th day of June, 2003.

/s/ Linda G. Poole

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