DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-54,492

REGAL MANUFACTURING COMPANY, INC.
HICKORY, 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 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)(B) of
Section 222 have been met.
The investigation was initiated March 12, 2004 in response to
a petition filed by the company on behalf of workers at Regal
Manufacturing Company, Inc., Hickory, North Carolina. The workers
produce covered elastic rubber threads.
Employment at the subject plant has declined, and the subject
firm has shifted production of covered elastic rubber threads to a
country (Columbia) that is a beneficiary country under the Andean
Trade Preference Act.

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.
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 firm are age 50 or over
and possess skills that are not easily transferable. Competitive
conditions within the industry are adverse.


Conclusion
After careful review of the facts obtained in the
investigation, I conclude that there were layoffs and a shift in
production from the subject firm to Columbia of articles that are
like or directly competitive with the articles produced by the
subject firm. In accordance with the provisions of the Act, I make
the following certification:
"All workers of Regal Manufacturing Company, Inc., Hickory,
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, and alternative trade adjustment
assistance under Section 246 of the Trade Act of 1974."
Signed in Washington, D. C. this 6th day of April, 2004.

/s/ Elliott S. Kushner
______________________________
ELLIOTT S. KUSHNER
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance