Petitioner Type: Company
Impact Date: 01/11/2004
Filed Date: 01/13/2005
Most Recent Update: 02/09/2005
Determination Date: 02/09/2005
Expiration Date: 02/09/2007
Employment and Training Administration
TA-W-56,333
WESTPOINT STEVENS, INC.
NOW KNOWN AS WESTPOINT HOME, INC
BED PRODUCTS DIVISION
INCLUDING ON-SITE LEASED WORKERS OF
ACTION STAFFING, A SUBDIVISION OF AMERICAN SERVICES
CLEMSON, SOUTH CAROLINA
Amended 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), and Section 246 of the Trade Act of 1974, (26 USC
2813), as amended, the Department of Labor issued a Certification
of Eligibility to Apply for Worker Adjustment Assistance and
Alternative Trade Adjustment Assistance on February 9, 2005,
applicable to workers of the WestPoint Stevens, Inc., Bed
Products Division, Clemson, South Carolina. The notice was
published in the Federal Register on March 9, 2005 (70 FR 11704).
The certification was amended on August 17, 2005 to reflect the
new ownership. The notice was published in the Federal Register
on September 27, 2005 (70 FR 56494).
At the request of the State agency, the Department reviewed
the certification for workers of the subject firm. The workers
are engaged in the production of sheets and pillowcases.
New information shows that leased workers of Action
Staffing, a subdivision of American Services were employed at the
Clemson, South Carolina location of WestPoint Stevens, Inc. now
known as WestPoint Home, Inc.
Based on these findings, the Department is amending this
certification to include leased workers of Action Staffing, a
subdivision of American Services working at WestPoint Stevens,
Inc., now known as WestPoint Home, Inc., Clemson, South Carolina.
The intent of the Department’s certification is to include
all workers of WestPoint Stevens, Inc., now known as WestPoint
Home, Inc., Bed Products Division who was adversely affected by
increased imports.
The amended notice applicable to TA-W-56,333 is hereby issued
as follows:
"All workers of WestPoint Stevens, Inc., now known as
WestPoint Home, Inc., Bed Products Division, including on-
site leased workers of Action Staffing, a subdivision of
American Services, Clemson, South Carolina, who became
totally or partially separated from employment on or after
January 11, 2004, through February 9, 2007, 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 3rd day of May 2006.
/s/ Elliott S. Kushner
________________________
ELLIOTT S. KUSHNER
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Employment and Training Administration
TA-W-56,333
WESTPOINT STEVENS
BED PRODUCTS DIVISION
CLEMSON, SOUTH CAROLINA
Certification Regarding Eligibility
To Apply for Worker Adjustment Assistance and
Alternative Adjustment Assistance
In accordance with Section 223 of the Trade Act of 1974 (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 January 13, 2005, in
response to a petition filed by a company official on behalf of
workers at WestPoint Stevens, Bed Products Division, Clemson, South
Carolina. The workers at the subject firm produced sheets and
pillowcases; they are not separately identifiable by articles
produced.
The investigation revealed that sales, production, and
employment at the subject firm declined from 2003 to 2004.
The Department of Labor surveyed the subject firm’s major
declining customers regarding their purchases of sheets and
pillowcases. The survey revealed increased imports of sheets and
pillowcases by the subject firm’s customers during the period under
investigation.
In addition, in accordance with Section 246 of 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 sheets and pillowcases produced
at the subject firm 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 WestPoint Stevens, Bed Products Division,
Clemson, South Carolina who became totally or partially
separated from employment on or after January 11, 2004,
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 9th day of February, 2005.
/s/ Elliott S. Kushner
______________________________
ELLIOTT S. KUSHNER
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance