DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-57,365

BEST MANUFACTURING
CORDELE DIVISION
CORDELE, 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, 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 on June 10, 2005, in
response to a petition filed by a company official on behalf of
workers of Best Manufacturing, Cordele Division, Cordele,
Georgia. The workers produce table linen, sheets, aprons, chef
apparel.
Employment at the subject firm declined from January
through May 2005 when compared to the same time period of the
previous year.
There has been a shift in production of table linen,
sheets, aprons, and chef apparel products from the Cordele,
Georgia plant to a county (Mexico) party to a free trade
agreement 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 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 conclude that there was a shift in production
from the workers' firm or subdivision to Mexico of articles that
are like or directly competitive with table linen, sheets,
aprons, chef apparel produced by the subject firm or
subdivision. In accordance with the provisions of the Act, I
make the following certification:
"All workers of Best Manufacturing, Cordele Division,
Cordele, Georgia, who became totally or partially separated
from employment on or after June 5, 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 8th day of July, 2005

/s/ Linda G. Poole


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