DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-54,452

A.E. NATHAN COMPANY, INC.
A DIVISION OF JAFTEX CORPORATION
HENDERSON, 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, 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 investigation was initiated on March 9, 2004 in response
to a petition filed by the Machinists Printers and Engravers
Association of the United States on behalf of workers at A.E.
Nathan Company, Inc., a division of Jaftex Corporation, Henderson,
North Carolina. Workers at the subject firm are engaged in textile
converting activities consisting of warehousing, cutting, packaging
and distribution of finished bolts of fabric.
The investigation revealed that sales, production, and
employment at the subject firm declined during the period of
January through February 2004 when compared to the same period in
2003.
The investigation further revealed an increase in company
imports of converted fabric 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 converted fabric produced by A.E.
Nathan Company, Inc., a division of Jaftex Corporation, Henderson,
North Carolina, contributed importantly to the total or partial
separation of workers and to the decline in sales or production at
that firm or subdivision. In accordance with the provisions of the
Act, I make the following certification:



"All workers of A.E. Nathan Company, Inc., a division of
Jaftex Corporation, Henderson, North Carolina, who became
totally or partially separated from employment on or after
March 8, 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 23rd day of April 2004.

/s/ Linda G. Poole
______________________________
LINDA G. POOLE
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance