DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-54,026

CENTRAL TEXTILES, INC.
PICKENS, SOUTH CAROLINA

Certification Regarding Eligibility
To Apply For Worker Adjustment Assistance and
Negative Determination Regarding Eligibility To Apply For
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.
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 January 15, 2004, and filed on behalf of workers at
Central Textiles, Inc., Pickens, South Carolina. The workers
produce greige cloth.
The investigation revealed that sales, production and
employment declined at the subject facility during the relevant
period.
The Department of Labor conducted a survey of the subject
firm's major declining customers regarding their purchases of
greige cloth during 2001, 2002, and 2003. The survey revealed
that major customers increased their purchases of imported greige
cloth, while decreasing their purchases from the subject firm
during the relevant time period.
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.
The group eligibility criteria for the ATAA program

that the Department must consider under Section 246 of the

Trade Act are:
1. Whether a significant number of workers in the
workers' firm are 50 years of age or older.
2. Whether the workers in the workers' firm possess skills
that are not easily transferable.
3. The competitive conditions within the workers' industry
(i.e., conditions within the industry are adverse).
The Department has concluded that criterion 2 has not been
met. The investigation revealed that workers of the subject firm
possess skills that are easily transferable to other positions in
the local area.


Conclusion
After careful review of the facts obtained in the
investigation, I determine that increases of imports of articles
like or directly competitive with greige cloth produced at Central
Textiles, Inc., Pickens, South Carolina, contributed importantly to
the total or partial separation of workers and to the decline in
sales or production and at that firm or subdivision. In accordance
with the provisions of the Act, I make the following certification:
"All workers of Central Textiles, Inc., Pickens, South
Carolina, who became totally or partially separated from
employment on or after January 7, 2003, 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
I further determine that all workers of Central Textiles,
Inc., Pickens, South Carolina, are denied eligibility to apply for
alternative trade assistance under section 246 of the Trade Act of
1974.
Signed in Washington, D.C. this 5th day of February 2004.

/s/ Elliott S. Kushner


______________________________
ELLIOTT S. KUSHNER
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance