Petitioner Type: Company
Impact Date: 03/31/2003
Filed Date: 04/01/2004
Most Recent Update: 05/04/2004
Determination Date: 05/04/2004
Expiration Date: 05/04/2006
Employment and Training Administration
TA-W-54,637
RICE MILLS, INC.
BELTON, SOUTH CAROLINA
Certification Regarding Eligibility to Apply for
Alternative Trade Adjustment Assistance
The Department adopted a new interpretation regarding the
Alternative Trade Adjustment Assistance (ATAA) program in order to
provide equitable access to ATAA for worker groups whose petitions
were still in process at the time of implementation of the ATAA
program on August 6, 2003. Under this new interpretation, worker
groups covered by the certification of a petition that was in
process on August 6, 2003 may request ATAA consideration for the
certified worker group. In addition, certified worker groups who
filed petitions after that date may also request ATAA if the
petition did not include an option to apply for ATAA. The request
must be made to the Department and may be made by anyone who was
entitled to file the original petition under section 221(a)(1) of
the Act.
By letter dated May 3, 2005, a company official, requested
ATAA consideration for workers at the subject firm located in
Belton, South Carolina.
In order for the Department to issue a certification of
eligibility to apply for ATAA, the group eligibility requirements
of Section 246(a)(3)(A) of the Trade Act must be met. The
Department has determined in this case that the requirements have
been met.
The investigation revealed that the subject worker group
possesses skills that are not easily transferable in the local
area, and that at least five percent of the workforce at the
subject firm is at least fifty years of age. Industry data show
that competitive conditions within the men’s and boys’ underwear
and nightwear and women’s and girls’ lingerie, loungewear, and
nightwear industries are adverse.
Conclusion
After careful review of the facts obtained on investigation, I
conclude that the requirements of Section 246(a)(3)(A) of the Trade
Act of 1974, as amended, have been met for workers at the subject
firm.
In accordance with the provisions of the Act, I make the
following certification:
"All workers of Rice Mills, Inc., Belton, South Carolina who
became totally or partially separated from employment on or
after March 31, 2003 through May 4, 2006 are eligible to apply
for alternative trade adjustment assistance under Section 246
of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended.”
Signed in Washington, D.C., this 2nd day of June 2005
/s/ Linda G. Poole
_______________________________
LINDA G. POOLE
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Employment and Training Administration
TA-W-54,637
RICE MILLS, INC.
BELTON, SOUTH 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 investigation was initiated on April 1, 2004 in response
to a petition filed by a company official on behalf of workers at
Rice Mills, Inc., Belton, South Carolina. The workers at the
subject firm produce robes and sleep apparel, and are not
separately identifiable by product line.
The investigation revealed that sales, production and
employment at the subject firm declined in the relevant time
period.
The investigation revealed that United States aggregate
imports of apparel like or directly competitive with apparel
produced at the subject firm were at a very high level compared
with overall shipments in 2002, and imports increased absolutely in
2003 compared with 2002.
Conclusion
After careful review of the facts obtained in the investi-
gation, I conclude that increased imports of articles like or
directly competitive with the various apparel products produced at
Rice Mills, Inc., Belton, South 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 Rice Mills, Inc., Belton, South Carolina who
became totally or partially separated from employment on or
after March 31, 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 4th day of May, 2004
/s/ Richard Church
_____________________________
RICHARD CHURCH
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance
May want to list the specific citation to the group eligibility requirements.
May want to list the specific citation to the group eligibility requirements.