DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-54,062

WHITENER HOSIERY & FINISHING CO., INC.
HICKORY, NORTH 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 (19
USC 2273), as amended, 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 investigation was initiated on January 22, 2004 in
response to a petition filed by a company official on behalf of
workers at Whitener Hosiery & Finishing Co., Inc., Hickory, North
Carolina. The workers produce men's, women's and children's socks
and hosiery, and are not separately identifiable by product line.
The investigation revealed that production and employment at
the subject firm declined to zero in the relevant time period.
The United States Department of Labor conducted a survey of
major customers of the subject firm regarding their purchases of
men's, women's and children's socks and hosiery in 2001, 2002 and
2003. The survey revealed that respondents increased their
reliance on imported men's, women's and children's socks and
hosiery, while decreasing purchases from the subject firm during
the relevant period.
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 determined that criterion 2 has not been
met.
The investigation revealed that the skills of the worker group
are easily transferable to other positions in the local area.


Conclusion
After careful review of the facts obtained in the investi-
gation, I conclude that increased imports of articles like or
directly competitive with men's, women's and children's socks &
hosiery produced at Whitener Hosiery & Finishing Co., Inc.,
Hickory, North Carolina, contributed importantly to the decline
in sales or production and to the total or partial separation of
workers of that firm. In accordance with the provisions of the
Act, I make the following certification:
"All workers of Whitener Hosiery & Finishing Co., Inc.,
Hickory, North Carolina, who became totally or partially
separated from employment on or after January 21, 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."
I further determine that all workers of Whitener Hosiery &
Finishing Co., Inc., Hickory, North Carolina, are denied
eligibility to apply for alternative trade adjustment assistance
under Section 246 of the Trade Act of 1974.
Signed in Washington, D.C., this 5th day of March 2004.

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