DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Employment and Training Administration
TA-W-53,604

SPRINGS INDUSTRIES, INC.
CREATIVE PRODUCTS GROUP
ROCK HILL, SOUTH CAROLINA

Negative Determination Regarding Eligibility
To Apply For Worker Adjustment Assistance and
Alternative Trade Adjustment Assistance

In accordance with Section 223 of the Trade Act of 1974, as
amended (19 USC 2273), the Department of Labor herein presents the results of an investigation regarding certification of eligibility to apply for worker adjustment assistance.
The investigation was initiated on November 21, 2003 in response to a petition filed by a company official on behalf of workers at Springs Industries, Inc., Creative Products Group, Rock Hill, South Carolina. Workers at the subject facility are engaged in administrative work related to fabric distribution and in developing designs for fabric that is printed elsewhere.
The investigation revealed that the petitioning workers of this firm or subdivision do not produce an article within the meaning of Section 222 of the Act. The Department of Labor has consistently determined that the performance of services does not constitute production of an article, as required by Section 222 of the Trade Act of 1974, and this determination has been upheld in the U.S. Court of Appeals.
Workers at the firm or subdivision may be certified only if their separation was caused importantly by a reduced demand for their services from a parent firm, a firm otherwise related to their firm by ownership, or a firm related by control. Addition­ally, the reduction in demand for services must originate at a production facility whose workers independently meet the statutory criteria for certification, and the reduction must directly relate to the product impacted by imports. These conditions have not been met for workers at this facility.
In addition, 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 worker group must be certified eligible to apply for trade adjustment assistance (TAA). Since the workers are denied eligibility to apply for TAA, the workers cannot be certified eligible for ATAA.
Conclusion
After careful review, I determine that all workers of Springs Industries, Inc., Creative Products Group, Rock Hill, South Carolina are denied eligibility to apply for adjustment assistance under Section 223 of the Trade Act of 1974, and are also denied eligibility to apply for alternative trade adjustment assistance under Section 246 of the Trade Act of 1974.
Signed in Washington, D. C. this 8th day of January, 2004.

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