DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-57,626

WILLOWBROOK HOSIERY
BURLINGTON, 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 July 27, 2005, in
response to a petition filed on behalf of the workers of
Willowbrook Hosiery, Burlington, North Carolina. The workers
produce hosiery (i.e. socks).
The investigation revealed that sales and employment
declined from January through June 2005 over the corresponding
2004 period.
The Department of Labor surveyed the subject firm's major
declining customers regarding their purchases of hosiery (i.e.
socks) in 2003, 2004 and during January through July 2005. The
surveys revealed that customers increased import purchases
during 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 hosiery (i.e. socks) produced
by Willowbrook Hosiery, Burlington, North Carolina 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 Willowbrook Hosiery, Burlington, North
Carolina who became totally or partially separated from
employment on or after July 26, 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 19th day of August, 2005

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