DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-56,631

COLLINS & AIKMAN
AUTOMOTIVE INTERIOR SYSTEMS
GLOBAL SOFT TRIM DIVISION
CANTON, OHIO

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 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 February 25, 2005, in
response to a petition filed by the United States Steelworkers of
America, District 1, on behalf of workers of Collins & Aikman,
Automotive Interior Systems, Global Soft Trim, Canton, Ohio. The
workers produced automotive floor mats (carpeted).
The investigation revealed sales, production and employment at
the subject plant decreased in 2004 compared to 2003. Layoffs
occurred in December 2004 and January 2005.
The Department conducted a survey of major declining customers
of the subject plant regarding their purchases of automotive floor
mats in 2003, 2004 and January 2005 over the January 2004 period.
The survey revealed that a respondent, which accounted for a
significant percentage of the subject plant's sales decline in 2004
compared to 2003, increased its import purchases of automotive
floor mats while decreasing its purchases of from the subject plant
in 2004 compared to 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 automotive floor mats produced at
Collins & Aikman, Automotive Interior Systems, Global Soft Trim,
Canton, Ohio 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 Collins & Aikman, Automotive Interior
Systems, Global Soft Trim, Canton, Ohio who became totally
or partially separated from employment on or after February
22, 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 6th day of April, 2005


/s/ Elliott S. Kushner

______________________________
ELLIOTT S. KUSHNER
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance