DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-51,808

WEST POINT STEVENS, INC.
ROANOKE RAPIDS, 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 investigation was initiated on May 19, 2003 in response
to a petition filed by the company on behalf of workers at West
Point Stevens, Inc., Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina. The
workers at the subject firm produced towels.
The investigation revealed that the preponderance in the
declines in employment and production at the subject plant is
related to an increase in company imports of towels during the
relevant period. Workers at the subject firm are under an
existing certification (TA-W-38,754) that expires on June 29,
2003.
Conclusion
After careful review of the facts obtained in the
investigation, I conclude that increases of imports of articles
like or directly competitive with towels produced at West Point
Stevens, Inc., Roanoke Rapids, 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 West Point Stevens, Inc., Roanoke Rapids,
North Carolina who became totally or partially separated
from employment on or after June 30, 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, as amended."
Signed in Washington, D. C. this 13th day of June, 2003.

/s/ Elliott S. Kushner
______________________________
ELLIOTT S. KUSHNER
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance