DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-56,636

M.J. SOFFE COMPANY
A DIVISION OF DELTA APPAREL
BLADENBORO, 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, as
amended (19 USC 2273), 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)(B) of
Section 222 have been met.
The investigation was initiated February 25, 2005 in response
to a petition filed by a company official on behalf of workers at
M.J. Soffe Company, a division of Delta Apparel, Bladenboro, North
Carolina. The workers were engaged in the production of fleece
sportswear.
Employment at the subject plant has declined, and the subject
firm in the process of shifting production of fleece sportswear to
a country (El Salvador) that is a beneficiary country under the
Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act with the United States.
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 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 conclude that there was a shift in production from
the workers firm or subdivision to El Salvador of articles that are
like or directly competitive with those produced by the subject
firm or subdivision. In accordance with the provisions of the Act,
I make the following certification:




"All workers of M.J. Soffe Company, a division of Delta
Apparel, Bladenboro, North Carolina, who became totally or
partially separated from employment on or after February 9,
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 15th day of March, 2005.


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