DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-56,620

SPRINGS INDUSTRIES
HARTWELL FINISHING
INLCUDING ON-SITE LEASED WORKERS FROM DEFENDER SERVICES
HARTWELL, GEORGIA

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), 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)(B) of
Section 222 have been met.
The investigation was initiated February 21, 2005 in response
to a petition filed by a company official on behalf of workers at
Springs Industries, Hartwell Finishing, Hartwell, Georgia. The
workers at the subject firm finish terry products, specifically
towels. Workers are separately identifiable from those at other
Springs facilities in Hartwell, Georgia.
The subject firm also leased some of its workers from Defender
Services.
The investigation revealed a significant number or proportion
of workers at the subject firm are threatened to become separated
from employment.
The investigation further revealed that corporate-wide sales
and subject firm production of towels decreased during the period
of January through February 2005 when compared to the same period
in 2004.
Company imports of towels increased during the period of
January through February 2005 when compared to the same period in
2004.
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 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 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 do not possess skills that are 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 towels produced by Springs
Industries, Hartwell Finishing, Hartwell, Georgia, 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 Springs Industries, Hartwell Finishing,
including on-site leased workers from Defender Services,
Hartwell, Georgia, 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 29th day of March 2005.
/s/ Linda G. Poole

______________________________
LINDA G. POOLE
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance