DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-52,788
SPRINGS INDUSTRIES
LANCASTER PLANT
LANCASTER, SOUTH CAROLINA

TA-W-52,788A
SPRINGS INDUSTRIES
WHITE PLANT
FORT MILL, SOUTH CAROLINA

TA-W-52,788B
SPRINGS INDUSTRIES
GRACE FABRICATION PLANT
LANCASTER, SOUTH 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 September 10, 2003, in
response to a petition filed by company official on behalf of
workers of Springs Industries, Inc., Lancaster Plant, Lancaster,
South Carolina (TA-W-52,788); Springs Industries, Inc., White
Plant, Fort Mill, South Carolina (TA-W-52,788A); Springs
Industries, Inc., Grace Fabrication Plant, Lancaster, South
Carolina (TA-W-52,788B). Workers at the Lancaster Plant produced
yarn used in the production of unfinished fabric. Workers at the
White Plant produced unfinished fabric used in the production of
finished fabric at another company plant. Workers at the Grace
Fabrication Plant cut and sewed bed sheets and pillowcases. The
three plants are vertically integrated within Springs Industries.
The investigation revealed that sales and production of
finished and packaged bed sheets and pillowcases decreased in 2002
compared to 2001 and in January-July 2003 compared to the same
period in 2002.
Production worker employment at all of the subject plants
decreased in 2002 compared to 2001 and in January-July 2003
compared to the same period in 2002.
U.S. imports of sheets and pillowcases increased both
absolutely and relative to U.S. shipments in 2002 compared to 2001
and in the first quarter of 2003 compared to the same period in
2003.
Company imports of finished and packaged bed sheets and
pillowcases increased in 2002 compared to 2001 and in January-July
2003 compared to the same period in 2002.
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 bed sheets and pillowcases
produced at Springs Industries, Inc., Lancaster Plant, Lancaster,
South Carolina; Springs Industries, Inc., White Plant, Fort Mill,
South Carolina; and Springs Industries, Inc., Grace Fabrication
Plant, Lancaster, South 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 Springs Industries, Inc., Lancaster Plant,
Lancaster, South Carolina; Springs Industries, Inc., White
Plant, Fort Mill, South Carolina; Springs Industries, Inc.,
Grace Fabrication Plant, Lancaster, South Carolina who
became totally or partially separated from employment on or
after August 28, 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 7th day of October, 2003.

/s/ Richard Church
______________________________
RICHARD CHURCH
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance