DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-54,997

G & K SERVICES
TEAMWEAR DIVISION
RICHTON, MISSISSIPPI

TA-W-54,997A

G & K SERVICES
TEAMWEAR DIVISION
LAUREL, MISSISSIPPI

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 on May 28, 2004 in response to
a petition filed by company officials on behalf of workers at G & K
Services, Teamwear Division, Richton, Mississippi, (TA-W-54,997)
and G & K Services, Teamwear Division, Laurel, Mississippi, (TA-W-
54,997A). The workers at G & K Services, Teamwear Division,
Richton, Mississippi, (TA-W-54,997) produce pants and the workers
at G & K Services, Teamwear Division, Laurel, Mississippi, (TA-W-
54,997A) produce shirts.
The preponderance in the declines in employment at G & K
Services, Teamwear Division, Richton, Mississippi, (TA-W-54,997) is
related to a shift in production of pants during the first quarter
of 2004, to a country (Dominican Republic) that is a party to the
Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act.
The preponderance in the declines in employment at G & K
Services, Teamwear Division, Laurel, Mississippi, (TA-W-54,997A) is
related to a shift in production of shirts during the first quarter
of 2004, to a country (Dominican Republic) that is a party to the
Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery 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 for workers of the subject firm at the Richton and Laurel,
Mississippi locations.
A significant number of workers at G & K Services, Teamwear
Division, Richton, Mississippi, (TA-W-54,997) and G & K Services,
Teamwear Division, Laurel, Mississippi, (TA-W-54,997A) 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 there was a shift in production
from the workers' firm or subdivision to the Dominican Republic of
articles that are like or directly competitive with those produced
by the subject firm or subdivision. In accordance with the
provisions of the Act, I make the following certification:
"All workers of G & K Services, Teamwear Division, Richton,
Mississippi (TA-W-54,997), and G & K Services, Teamwear
Division, Laurel, Mississippi (TA-W-54,997A), who became
totally or partially separated from employment on or after May
21, 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 22nd day of July 2004.

/s/ Linda G. Poole

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