DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-55,559

CHATHAM BORGSTENA AUTOMOTIVE TEXTILES
MT. AIRY, 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 September 3, 2004 in
response to a petition filed by the company on behalf of workers at
Chatham Borgstena Automotive Textiles, Mt. Airy, North Carolina.
The workers were engaged in employment related to the production of
automotive textiles and were not separately identifiable by product
line.
The investigation revealed that sales and employment at the
subject firm decreased at the subject firm during the relevant
period.
The Department of Labor surveyed the major customers of the
subject firm regarding their purchases of automotive textiles in
2002, 2003 and January through August 2004 over the corresponding
2003 period. The survey revealed that one of the major customers
increased their reliance on imported automotive textiles during the
relevant period.
The petitioner also requested consideration for Alternative
Trade Adjustment Assistance (ATAA).
In order to issue a certification of eligibility to apply for
ATAA for older workers, the group eligibility requirements of
Section 246(a)(3)(A)(ii) of the Trade Act must be met. The
Department has determined in this case that the requirements 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 increases in imports of automotive
textiles like or directly competitive with those produced by
Chatham Borgstena Automotive Textiles, Mt. Airy, 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 Chatham Borgstena Automotive Textiles, Mt.
Airy, North Carolina, who became totally or partially
separated from employment on or after August 25, 2003 through
two years from the date of certification, are eligible to
apply for adjustment assistance under Section 223, 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 October, 2004.

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