Petitioner Type: Company
Impact Date: 10/22/2003
Filed Date: 10/27/2004
Most Recent Update: 11/23/2004
Determination Date: 11/23/2004
Expiration Date: 11/22/2006
Employment and Training Administration
TA-W-55,862
PIEDMONT HOME TEXTILES
WALHALLA, 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 (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 October 27, 2004, in
response to a petition filed by a company official on behalf of
workers Piedmont Home Textiles, Walhalla, South Carolina. The
workers at the subject firm produce comforters and bedding
accessories including pillowcases and sheets.
The investigation revealed that sales and employment at the
subject firm declined during the period of January through
September 2004 when compared to the same period in 2003.
The investigation further revealed that company imports of
comforters and bedding accessories including pillowcases and sheets
increased during the relevant period.
The Department of Labor surveyed the subject firm's major
customers regarding their purchases of comforters and bedding
accessories including pillowcases and sheets during 2002, 2003, and
January through September 2004. This survey revealed increases in
imports of comforters and bedding accessories during the above
periods.
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 determine that increases of imports of articles
like or directly competitive with comforters and bedding
accessories produced at Piedmont Home Textiles, Walhalla, South
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 Piedmont Home Textiles, Walhalla, South
Carolina who became totally or partially separated from
employment on or after October 22, 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 23rd day of November 2004
/s/ Richard Church
______________________________
RICHARD CHURCH
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance