DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-52,792

RST&B CURTAIN AND DRAPERY
WOODRUFF, 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 11, 2003 in
response to a petition filed by a company official on behalf of
workers at RST&B Curtain and Drapery, Woodruff, South Carolina.
The workers produced comforters.
Sales and employment declined during the relevant period.
The United States Department of Labor surveyed major
customers of the subject firm regarding their purchases of
comforters during 2001, 2002 and January through June 2003. The
survey revealed that respondents increased their reliance on
imports during the relevant period.
The petitioner also requested consideration for Alternative
Trade Adjustment Assistance (ATAA).
In order to issue a certification of eligibility to apply
for ATAA for older workers, the group eligibility requirements
of Section 246(a)(3)(A)(ii) of the Trade Act must be met. The
Department has determined in this case that the requirements
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 conclude that increases of imports of articles
like or directly competitive with comforters produced at RST&B
Curtain and Drapery, Woodruff, South 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 RST&B Curtain and Drapery, Woodruff, South
Carolina who became totally or partially separated from
employment on or after September 2, 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 and alternative trade adjustment assistance under
Section 246 of the Trade Act of 1974."
Signed in Washington, D. C., this 26th day of September, 2003

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