DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING ADMINISTRATION

TA-W-53,412

FORT PAYNE SOCKS, INC.
HOSIERY DIVISION
FORT PAYNE, ALABAMA

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.
In order to make an affirmative determination and issue a
certification of eligibility for secondary workers to apply for
Trade Adjustment Assistance, the group eligibility requirements of
paragraph (b) of Section 222 of the Trade Act, as amended, must be
met. It is determined in this case that the requirements of (b) of
Section 222, as amended, have been met.
The investigation was initiated on November 3, 2003 in response
to a petition filed by a company official on behalf of workers at
Fort Payne Socks, Inc., Hosiery Division, Fort Payne, Alabama. The
workers at the subject firm produce socks.
The investigation revealed that Fort Payne Socks, Inc.,
Hosiery Division, Fort Payne, Alabama is an upstream supplier of
socks, who lost business with a distributor and finisher of socks,
whose workers were certified eligible to apply for trade adjustment
assistance.
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 workers of Fort Payne Socks, Inc.,
Hosiery Division, Fort Payne, Alabama 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 Fort Payne Socks, Inc., Hosiery Division, Fort
Payne, Alabama who became totally or partially separated from
employment on or after October 29, 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 eligible to apply for alternative trade
adjustment assistance under Section 246 of the Trade Act of
1974."
Signed at Washington, D.C., this 24th day of November, 2003.


/s/ Linda G. Poole

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