DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-57,524

USA KNIT, INC
FORT PAYNE, ALABAMA

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) (A) of Section 222 have been met.
The investigation was initiated on July 8, 2005 in response
to a petition filed on behalf of workers at USA Knit, Inc., Fort
Payne, Alabama. The workers at the subject firm make socks.
The investigation revealed that sales, production and
employment declined from 2003 to 2004 and during January through
June 2005 when compared to the same period in 2004.
The Department of Labor surveyed the subject firm's major
declining customers regarding their purchases of socks in 2003,
2004 and January through June 2005. The survey revealed that
customers increased import purchases while reducing purchases
from the firm during the relevant period.
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 those produced at the subject
firm contributed importantly to the decline in sales or
production and to the total or partial separation of workers of
that firm or subdivision. In accordance with the provisions of
the Act, I make the following certification:
"All workers of USA Knit, Inc., Fort Payne, Alabama who
became totally or partially separated from employment on or
after July 7, 2004, through two years from the date of
certification are eligible to apply for adjustment assis-
tance 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 August 2005.

/s/ Linda G. Poole

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