DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-53,245

PIEDMONT INDUSTRIES, INC.
ICARD LOCATION
CONOVER, 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 in response to a petition
received on October 15, 2003 and filed by a company official on
behalf of workers at Piedmont Industries, Inc., Icard Location,
Conover, North Carolina. This facility is affiliated with Twin
City Knitting Company, Inc., also located in Conover, North
Carolina. Production at the two facilities forms an integrated
process with Twin City Knitting performing finishing operations.
The workers produce hosiery.
The investigation revealed that plants sales and employment
declined during the relevant period.
The investigation further revealed that the company
increased its reliance on imported hosiery during the relevant
period.
Conclusion
After careful review of the facts obtained in the
investigation, I determine that increases of imports of articles
like or directly competitive with hosiery produced at Piedmont
Industries, Inc., Icard Location, Conover, 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 Piedmont Industries, Inc., Icard Location,
Conover, North Carolina who became totally or partially
separated from employment on or after October 10, 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."
Signed in Washington, D. C., this 20th day of November 2003.

Richard Church

______________________________
RICHARD CHURCH
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance