DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-53,105

AMERICAN & EFIRD, INC.
MAIDEN FACILITY
A DIVISION OF THE RUDDICK CORPORATION
MT. HOLLY, 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 an investigation regarding certification of eligibility
to apply for worker adjustment assistance as a secondarily affected
worker group.
The investigation was initiated on October 2, 2003 in response
to a petition filed on behalf of workers at American & Efird, Inc.,
Maiden Facility, a division of the Ruddick Corporation, Mt. Holly,
North Carolina. The workers of the subject firm produce poly-wrap
core yarn.
In order to make an affirmative determination and issue a
certification of eligibility to apply for Trade Adjustment
Assistance as a secondarily affected worker group, the group
eligibility requirements in either paragraph (b)(3)(A) or (b)(3)(B)
of Section 222 of the Trade Act must be met. It is determined in
the case of American & Efird, Inc., Maiden Facility, a division of
the Ruddick Corporation, Mt. Holly, North Carolina that the
requirements of (b)(3)(B) of Section 222 have been met.

The investigation revealed that sales, production and
employment at the subject division decreased during the period of
January through August 2003 when compared to the same period in
2002.
Furthermore, the investigation revealed that the subject firm
is a supplier of component parts to a firm that employed a group of
workers who received a certification of eligibility to apply for
trade adjustment assistance, and the loss of business with this
firm contributed importantly to worker separations at the subject
firm.
In addition, 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 the case of American &
Efird, Inc., Maiden Facility, a division of the Ruddick
Corporation, Mt. Holly, North Carolina that the requirements of
Section 246 have been met.
A significant number of workers at the division 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 workers of American & Efird, Inc.,
Maiden Facility, a division of the Ruddick Corporation, Mt. Holly,
North Carolina qualify as adversely affected secondary workers
under Section 222 of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended. In
accordance with the provisions of the Act, I make the following
certification:
"All workers of the American & Efird, Inc., Maiden Facility, a
division of the Ruddick Corporation, Mt. Holly, North Carolina
who became totally or partially separated from employment on
or after October 1, 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 are also
eligible to apply for alternative trade adjustment assistance
under Section 246 of the Trade Act of 1974."
Signed at Washington, D.C., this 6th day of November 2003.

/s/ Linda G. Poole

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LINDA G. POOLE
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance