DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-56,572

HICKORY FINISHING, INC.
HICKORY, 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.
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 February 14, 2005 and filed by a company official on
behalf of workers at Hickory Finishing, Inc., Hickory, North
Carolina. The workers were engaged in employment related to the
production of men's, ladies' and children's socks.
The investigation revealed that sales and employment at
Hickory Finishing, Inc., Hickory, North Carolina declined during
the period under investigation.
The investigation further revealed that U.S. aggregate
imports of women's and girls' socks increased significantly
during the relevant period. In 2003 the ratio of U.S. imports to
U.S. production of women's and girl's socks was approaching 100
percent.
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 increased of import of articles
like or directly competitive with men's, ladies' and children's
socks contributed importantly to the separation of workers of
Hickory Finishing, Inc., Hickory, North Carolina.
In accordance with the provisions of the Act, I make the
following certification:
"All workers of Hickory Finishing, Inc., Hickory, North
Carolina who became totally or partially separated from
employment on or after February 12, 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 at Washington, D.C., this 4th day of March, 2005.

/s/ Elliott S. Kushner
______________________ __
ELLIOTT S. KUSHNER
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance