DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-56,865

MEYERS IND.
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 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 April 1, 2005 in response
to a petition filed on behalf of workers of Meyers Ind., Hickory,
North Carolina. The workers of the subject firm produced men's,
women's, boy's and girl's socks.
The investigation revealed that employment, sales, and
production declined absolutely from 2003 to 2004 and in January
through March 2005 compared to the same period of 2005.
The Department conducted a survey of the subject firm's major
declining customers regarding their purchases of socks in 2003,
2004 and January through March 2005. The survey revealed that
customers increased import purchases of socks while reducing
purchases from the subject firm during the relevant period.
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 division 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 aggregate imports of
articles like or directly competitive with the men's, women's,
boy's and girl's socks produced at Meyers Ind., Hickory, North
Carolina contributed importantly to the total or partial separation
of workers and to the decline in sales or production and at that
firm or subdivision. In accordance with the provisions of the Act,
I make the following certification:



"All workers of Meyers Ind., Hickory, North Carolina, who
became totally or partially separated from employment on or
after March 15, 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 11th day of May 2005.

/s/ Linda G. Poole
______________________________
LINDA G. POOLE
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance