DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-54,052

ELLIS HOSIERY MILLS, INC.
INCLUDING LEASED WORKERS OF CATAWBA STAFFING
HICKORY, NORTH CAROLINA

Certification 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 its 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 sales and/or production have
decreased absolutely at the workers firm or subdivision and an
increase in imports of articles like or directly competitive with
articles produced by the workers' firm or subdivision contributed
importantly to workers' separation or threat of separation and to
the decline in the sales or production of the subject firm or
subdivision.
The investigation was initiated on January 21, 2004 in
response to a petition filed by a company official on behalf of
workers at Ellis Hosiery Mills, Inc., Hickory, North Carolina. The
workers at the subject firm produce men's and ladies' socks.
The investigation revealed that the subject firm leased some
workers from Catawba Staffing to produce men's and ladies' socks.
The investigation revealed that production and employment at
the subject firm declined during the periods of 2002 and 2003.
The investigation further revealed that company imports of
men's and ladies' socks increased during the relevant period.
Conclusion
After careful review of the facts obtained in the
investigation, I determine that increases of imports of articles
like or directly competitive with men's and ladies' socks produced
at Ellis Hosiery Mills, Inc., Hickory, North 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 Ellis Hosiery Mills, Inc., including leased
workers of Catawba Staffing, Hickory, North Carolina who
became totally or partially separated from employment on or
after January 20, 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."
Signed in Washington, D. C. this 3rd day of February, 2004.

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