DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-55,145

SPRINGS INDUSTRIES, INC
BEDDING DIVISION
INCLUDING LEASED WORKERS OF STAFF MARK
LYMAN, SOUTH 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 sales and/or production have
decreased absolutely at the workers firm or subdivision and an
increase in imports of articles like or directly competitive with
articles produced by the workers' firm or subdivision contributed
importantly to workers' separation or threat of separation and to
the decline in the sales or production of the subject firm or
subdivision.
The investigation was initiated on June 25, 2004 in response
to a petition filed on behalf of workers at Springs Industries,
Inc., Bedding Division, Lyman, South Carolina. The workers at the
Lyman facility produced bedding. The subject facility leased
workers from Staff Mark.
The investigation revealed that production and employment at
the subject firm declined during the past year.
The investigation further revealed that company imports of
bedding increased in 2003 when compared to 2002 and during the
period of January through May of 2004 when compared to the same
period in 2003.
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 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 bedding produced at Springs
Industries, Inc., Bedding Division, Lyman, South Carolina
contributed importantly to the total or partial separation of
workers and to the decline in sales or production and at that firm
or subdivision. In accordance with the provisions of the Act, I
make the following certification:
"All workers of Springs Industries, Inc., Bedding Division,
including leased workers of Staff Mark, Lyman, South Carolina
who became totally or partially separated from employment on
or after June 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 6th day of July 2004
/s/ Richard Church
_______________________________
RICHARD CHURCH
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance