DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-55,824

NATURALLY KNITS, INC.
GASTONIA, 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 an investigation regarding
certification of eligibility to apply for worker adjustment
assistance as a secondarily affected worker group.
In order to make an affirmative determination and
issue a certification of eligibility for secondary workers
to apply for Trade Adjustment Assistance, the group
eligibility requirements of paragraph (b) of Section 222 of
the Trade Act, as amended, must be met. It is determined in
this case that the requirements of (b) of Section 222, as
amended, have been met.
The investigation was initiated in response to a
petition received on October 19, 2004 and filed by a
company official on behalf of workers at Naturally Knits,
Inc., Gastonia, North Carolina. The workers are engaged in
activities related to the production of fabric (i.e. cotton
blends).
The investigation revealed that Naturally Knits, Inc.,
Gastonia, North Carolina supplies fabric to an apparel
producer, and at least 20 percent of its production or
sales is supplied to a manufacturer whose workers were
certified eligible to apply for adjustment assistance.
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 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 workers of Naturally Knits,
Inc., Gastonia, North Carolina qualify as adversely
affected secondary workers under Section 222 of the Trade
Act of 1974, as amended. In accordance with the provisions
of the Act, I make the following certification:
"All workers of Naturally Knits, Inc., Gastonia, North
Carolina who became totally or partially separated
from employment on or after October 12, 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 at Washington, D.C., this 16th day of November 2004

/s/ Linda G. Poole

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