DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-55,809

R.A.G.S., INC.
ROCKWELL, 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 in response to a petition
received on October 15, 2004 and filed by a company official on
behalf of workers at R.A.G.S., Inc., Rockwell, North Carolina. The
workers produce women's shirts and pants and are not separately
identifiable by product line.
The investigation revealed that sales, production, and
employment at the subject firm declined from 2002 to 2003.
Furthermore, the investigation revealed that there were
substantial and increasing United States aggregate imports of
women's shirts and pants during the period under investigation.
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 conclude that increases of imports of articles
like or directly competitive with women's shirts and pants produced
by R.A.G.S., Inc., Rockwell, North 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 R.A.G.S., Inc., Rockwell, North Carolina who
became totally or partially separated from employment on or
after October 14, 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 27th day of October 2004.

/s/ Linda G. Poole
______________________________
LINDA G. POOLE
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance