DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-53,999

COLLINS & AIKMAN
CARPET & ACOUSTICS DIVISION
GREENVILLE, SOUTH CAROLINA

Negative Determinations Regarding Eligibility
To Apply for Worker 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 group eligibility
requirements for directly-impacted (primary) workers under Section
222(a) the Trade Act of 1974, as amended, can be satisfied in
either of two ways:
I. Section (a)(2)(A) all of the following must be satisfied:
A. a significant number or proportion of the workers in such
workers' firm, or an appropriate subdivision of the firm,
have become totally or partially separated, or are
threatened to become totally or partially separated;
B. the sales or production, or both, of such firm or
subdivision have decreased absolutely; and
C. increased imports of articles like or directly competitive
with articles produced by such firm or subdivision have
contributed importantly to such workers' separation or
threat of separation and to the decline in sales or
production of such firm or subdivision; or

II. Section (a)(2)(B) both of the following must be satisfied:

A. a significant number or proportion of the workers in such
workers' firm, or an appropriate subdivision of the
firm, have become totally or partially separated, or are
threatened to become totally or partially separated;
B. there has been a shift in production by such workers' firm
or subdivision to a foreign country of articles like or
directly competitive with articles which are produced by
such firm or subdivision; and

C. One of the following must be satisfied:
1. the country to which the workers' firm has shifted
production of the articles is a party to a free trade
agreement with the United States;
2. the country to which the workers' firm has shifted
production of the articles is a beneficiary country
under the Andean Trade Preference Act, African Growth
and Opportunity Act, or the Caribbean Basin Economic
Recovery Act; or
3. there has been or is likely to be an increase in
imports of articles that are like or directly
competitive with articles which are or were produced
by such firm or subdivision.

The investigation was initiated on January 14, 2004, in
response to a petition filed on behalf of workers of Collins &
Aikman, Carpet & Acoustics Division, Greenville, South Carolina.
Workers produced automotive floor carpeting and interior trim.
The investigation revealed that criteria I.C. and II.B. were
not met.
Layoffs occurred in the DCX DN and DCX LH programs in the
fourth quarter of 2003.
The company shifted production of trunk carpet for the DCX LH
program from the subject facility to another company domestic
facility in the third quarter of 2003. In addition, production of
trunk carpet for the DCX LH program was for export.
The Department conducted a bid survey of a major project,
i.e. DCX DN program, lost by the subject facility. The survey
revealed that the project was awarded to another domestic
manufacturer that produced the products: floor carpet and filler
panel for this program in the U.S.
The subject firm did not import automotive floor carpeting
and interior trim during the relevant period.
Conclusion
After careful review, I determine that all workers of
Collins & Aikman, Carpet & Acoustics Division, Greenville, South
Carolina producing automotive carpeting and filler panels are
denied eligibility to apply for adjustment assistance under
Section 223 of the Trade Act of 1974.

Signed in Washington, D.C. this 19th day of February, 2004


/s/ Elliott S. Kushner
______________________________
ELLIOTT S. KUSHNER
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance