DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-54,215

TAYLOR TOGS, INC.
BAKERSVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA

TA-W-54,215A

TAYLOR TOGS, INC.
TAYLORSVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA

TA-W-54,215B

TAYLOR TOGS, INC.
MICAVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA

Certification Regarding Eligibility
To Apply for Worker Adjustment Assistance and
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 February 9, 2004 in
response to a petition filed by a company official on behalf of
workers at Taylor Togs, Inc., Bakersville, North Carolina (TA-W-
54,215); Taylor Togs, Inc., Taylorsville, North Carolina (TA-W-
54,215A), and Taylor Togs, Inc., Micaville, North Carolina (TA-W-
54,215B). Workers at Bakersville facility (TA-W-54,215) sewed Levi
brand bottoms; workers at the Taylorsville facility (TA-W-54,215A)
are finishers of the Levi brand bottoms, and workers at the
Micaville facility (TA-W-54,215B) cut and sew Levi brand bottoms.
The investigation revealed that production and employment at
the Bakersville facility (TA-W-54,215) declined absolutely with the
closure of the facility on February 9, 2004. Additionally,
production at the Taylorsville facility (TA-W-54,215A) declined
during 2004. Employment at the Taylorsville facility (TA-W-
54,215A) declined from 2003 to January 2004. Finally, sales,
production, and employment at the Micaville facility (TA-W-54,215B)
declined during the relevant period
The Department of Labor surveyed the subject facilities' major
declining customer regarding their purchases of Levi brand bottoms.
This survey revealed increased imports of Levi brand bottoms during
the relevant period.
In addition, in order for the Department to issue a
certification of eligibility to apply for ATAA, the group
eligibility requirements of Section 246 of the Trade Act must be
met. The Department has determined in this case that the
requirements of Section 246 have been met.
A significant number of workers at the facility are age 50 or
over and do not possess skills that are easily transferable.
Competitive conditions within the industry are adverse.
Conclusion
After careful review of the facts obtained in the
investigation, I determine that increases of imports of articles
like or directly competitive with Levi brand bottoms produced at
Taylor Togs, Inc., Bakersville, North Carolina (TA-W-54,215);
Taylor Togs, Inc., Taylorsville, North Carolina (TA-W-54,215A), and
Taylor Togs, Inc., Micaville, North Carolina (TA-W-54,215B)
contributed importantly to the total or partial separation of
workers and to the decline in sales or production and at that
facility or subdivision. In accordance with the provisions of the
Act, I make the following certification:
"All workers of Taylor Togs, Inc., Bakersville, North Carolina
(TA-W-54,215); Taylor Togs, Inc., Taylorsville, North Carolina
(TA-W-54,215A), and Taylor Togs, Inc., Micaville, North
Carolina (TA-W-54,215B) who became totally or partially
separated from employment on or after February 4, 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 are also eligible to apply for alternative trade
adjustment assistance under Section 246 of the Trade Act of
1974."
Signed in Washington, D. C. this 24th day of March 2004

/s/ Linda G. Poole


_____________________________
LINDA G. POOLE
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance