Department Of Labor

Employment & Training Administration

TA-W-53,545

M.J. SOFFE COMPANY
A SUBSIDIARY OF DELTA APPAREL
FAYETTEVILLE, 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), 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 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) (B) of Section 222 have been
met.

The investigation was initiated November 17, 2003 in
response to a petition filed by a company official on
behalf of workers of M. J. Soffe Company, a subsidiary of
Delta Apparel, Fayetteville, North Carolina. The workers
at the subject firm produce sportswear, and are not
separately identifiable by product line.

The investigation revealed that employment at the
subject firm decreased from 2002 to November 2003.

Furthermore, the investigation revealed that the
subject firm shifted production to Honduras, El Salvador,
Pakistan, and Jordan during the period under investigation.

Moreover, the investigation revealed that imports of
sportswear have increased during the relevant period.

Conclusion

After careful review of the facts obtained in the
investigation, I determine that there was a shift in
production from the workers' firm or subdivision to a
foreign country of articles that are like or directly
competitive with those produced by the subject firm or
subdivision and there has been or is likely to be an
increase in imports of such articles. In accordance with
the provisions of the Act, I make the following
certification:
"All workers of M.J. Soffe Company, a subsidiary of
Delta Apparel, Fayetteville, North Carolina who became
totally or partially separated from employment on or
after November 14, 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 10th day of December 2003.

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