DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-52,587

RAMTEX, INC.
RAMSEUR, NORTH CAROLINA

Certification Regarding Eligibility
To Apply for Worker Adjustment Assistance and
Alternative Trade 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 August 18, 2003, in
response to a petition filed by a company official on behalf of
workers of Ramtex, Inc., Ramseur, North Carolina. The workers
at the subject firm produce poly cotton yarn and greige fabric.
Workers are separately identifiable by product line, but a
substantial portion of the yarn is used within the firm to
produce fabric.
The investigation revealed that employment, sales and
production declined at the subject firm in at least one of the
2001/2002 and January to August, 2002/2003 periods.
The Department of Labor surveyed the subject firm's major
customers regarding their purchases of poly cotton yarn and
greige fabric in 2001-2002 and January to August, 2002-2003.
The survey revealed increased foreign purchases in 2002 and
January through August 2003.
In accordance with Section 246 the Trade Act of 1974 (26
USC 2813), as amended, the Department of Labor 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 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 facts obtained in the
investigation, I determine that increases of imports of articles
like or directly competitive with poly cotton yarn and greige
fabric produced at Ramtex, Inc., Ramseur, North Carolina
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 Ramtex, Inc., Ramseur, North Carolina who
became totally or partially separated from employment on or
after August 6, 2002 through two years from the date of
certification are eligible to apply for adjustment assis-
tance under Section 223 of the Trade Act of 1974, and are
also eligible to apply for alternative trade adjustment
assistance under Section 246 of the Trade Act of 1974."
Signed in Washington, D. C. this 14th day of October 2003

/s/ Richard Church

______________________________
RICHARD CHURCH
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance