Petitioner Type: Workers
Impact Date: 03/31/2003
Filed Date: 04/08/2004
Most Recent Update: 04/30/2004
Determination Date: 04/30/2004
Expiration Date: 04/30/2006
Employment and Training Administration
TA-W-54,691
R.A.G.S., INC.
INCLUDING LEASED WORKERS OF
SELECTIVE HR SOLUTIONS, INC.
ALBEMARLE, NORTH CAROLINA
Amended 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) the Department of Labor issued a Certification of
Eligibility to Apply for Worker Adjustment Assistance and
Alternative Trade Adjustment Assistance on April 30, 2004,
applicable to workers of R.A.G.S., Inc., Albemarle, North
Carolina. The notice will be published soon in the Federal
Register.
At the request of the State agency, the Department reviewed
the certification for workers of the subject firm. The workers
were engaged in the production of women’s tops: jackets, blouses
and shirts.
Information provided by the State agency shows that all
workers of the Albemarle, North Carolina location of the subject
firm are leased workers of Selective HR Solutions, Inc.
Information also shows that workers separated from
employment at the subject firm had their wages reported under a
separate unemployment insurance (UI) tax account for Selective HR
Solutions, Inc. employed at R.A.G.S., Inc., Albemarle, North
Carolina.
Based on these findings, the Department is amending this
certification to include leased workers of Selective HR
Solutions, Inc. working at R.A.G.S., Inc., Albemarle, North
Carolina.
The intent of the Department's certification is to include
all workers of R.A.G.S., Inc. who was adversely affected by
increased imports.
The amended notice applicable to TA-W-54,691 is hereby
issued as follows:
"All workers of R.A.G.S., Inc., including leased
workers of Selective HR Solutions, Inc., Albemarle,
North Carolina, who became totally or partially
separated from employment on or after March 31, 2003,
through April 30, 2006, 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 at Washington, D.C. this 20th day of May, 2004.
/s/ Richard Church
________________________________
RICHARD CHURCH
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Employment and Training Administration
TA-W-54,691
R.A.G.S. INC.
ALBEMARLE, 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 April 8, 2004, in response
to a petition filed on behalf of workers of R.A.G.S., Inc.,
Albemarle, North Carolina. The workers produce women’s tops:
jackets, blouses and shirts.
The investigation revealed that United States imports of the
products in question were very high and increasing throughout the
relevant period. The ratio of imports of women’s jackets compared
with U.S. domestic shipments was in excess of 800 percent in 2002,
the last full year in which figures were available, and imports
continued to increase markedly in the twelve months ending
September 2003. United States imports of women’s blouses and
shirts were in excess of 500 percent of shipments in 2002 and also
showed a sharp increase in the twelve months ending September 2003.
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 determine that increases of imports of articles
like or directly competitive with women’s tops produced at
R.A.G.S., Inc., Albemarle, 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 R.A.G.S., Inc., Albemarle, North 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, 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 30th day of April, 2004
/s/ Richard Church
______________________________
RICHARD CHURCH
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance