DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-51,928

JOAN FABRICS CORPORATION
NEWTON FINISHING PLANT
NEWTON, NORTH CAROLINA

TA-W-51,928A
JOAN FABRICS CORPORATION
WEAVING AND SUPPORT OPERATION
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 investigation was initiated on June 3, 2003, in response
to a petition filed on behalf of workers of Joan Fabrics
Corporation, Newton Finishing Plant, Newton, North Carolina (TA-W-
51,928) and Joan Fabrics Corporation, Weaving and Support
Operation, Hickory, North Carolina (TA-W-51,928A). The workers
produced plush velvet fabrics.
The investigation revealed that sales, production and
employment declined during the period under investigation.
The Department of Labor surveyed the subject firms' major
customers regarding their purchases of plush velvet fabrics in
2001, 2002 and January through May 2003. The survey revealed that
customer(s) increased their imports of plush velvet fabrics, while
reducing purchases from the subject firm during the period under
investigation.
Conclusion
After careful review of the facts obtained in the
investigation, I conclude that increases of imports of articles
like or directly competitive with plush velvet fabrics produced at
Joan Fabrics Corporation, Newton Finishing Plant, Newton, North
Carolina (TA-W-51,928) and Joan Fabrics Corporation, Weaving and
Support Operation, Hickory, North Carolina (TA-W-51,928A)
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 Joan Fabrics Corporation, Newton Finishing
Plant, Newton, North Carolina (TA-W-51,928) and Joan Fabrics
Corporation, Weaving and Support Operation, Hickory, North
Carolina (TA-W-51,928A), who became totally or partially
separated from employment on or after June 2, 2002 and 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 16th day of July, 2003.

/s/ Elliott S. Kushner

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