DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-56,045

REGENCY HOME FASHIONS, INCORPORATED
CONOVER, 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, 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 investigation was initiated on November 19, 2004 in
response to a petition filed by a company official on behalf of
workers at Regency Home Fashions, Inc., Conover, North Carolina.
The workers produce bedding and accessories. They are not
separately identifiable by specific product line.
The investigation revealed that sales and employment at the
subject firm declined during the period of January through October
2004 when compared to the same period in 2003.
The investigation further revealed that the subject firm
increased its reliance on imported bedding and accessories during
the relevant period.
Furthermore, the subject firm is shifting production abroad
for subsequent import which is impacting workers at the Conover
facility.
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 that the requirements of
Section 246 have been met.
A significant number of workers at each facility 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 imports of articles like or
directly competitive with the bedding and accessories produced by
Regency Home Fashions, Inc., Conover, 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 Regency Home Fashions, Inc., Conover, North
Carolina, who became totally or partially separated from
employment on or after November 11, 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 30th day of December 2004
/s/ Richard Church
_______________________________
RICHARD CHURCH
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance