DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-56,613

VALTEX, LLC
INCLUDING ONSITE LEASED
WORKERS OF SKILSTAF
SCOTTSBORO, ALABAMA

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 sales and/or production have
decreased absolutely at the workers firm or subdivision and an
increase in imports of articles like or directly competitive with
articles produced by the workers' firm or subdivision contributed
importantly to workers' separation or threat of separation and to
the decline in the sales or production of the subject firm or
subdivision.
The investigation was initiated on February 22, 2005 in
response to a petition filed by a company official on behalf of
workers at Valtex, LLC, Scottsboro, Alabama. The workers at the
subject firm produce children's clothing. The subject firm leased
workers from Skilstaf.
The investigation revealed that the subject firm's production
decreased in 2004 compared to 2003, and the subject firm's imports
of children's clothing increased during the relevant period.
United States aggregate imports of infant apparel are at a
very high level compared to domestic production and these levels
increased in the first half of 2004 compared with 2003.
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 children's apparel produced at
Valtex, LLC, Scottsboro, Alabama 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 Valtex, LLC, including onsite leased workers
of Skilstaf, Scottsboro, Alabama who became totally or
partially separated from employment on or after February 18,
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 4th day of March 2005.
/s/ Richard Church
_______________________________
RICHARD CHURCH
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance