DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-57,680
JOAN FABRICS CORPORATION
HICKORY DIVISION
FINISHING PLANT
NEWTON, NORTH CAROLINA

TA-W-57,680A
JOAN FABRICS CORPORATION
HICKORY DIVISION
PILOT WEAVING, WARPING, RECEIVING PLANT AND
CORPORATE MARKETING CENTER
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), 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 August 5, 2005, in
response to a petition filed by a company official on behalf of
workers of Joan Fabrics Corporation, Hickory Division, Finishing
Plant, Newton, North Carolina (TA-W-57,680) and Joan Fabrics
Corporation, Hickory Division, Pilot Weaving, Warping, Receiving
Plant and Corporate Marketing Center, Hickory, North Carolina
(TA-W-57,680A). The workers at both locations are engaged in
activities related to the production of plush velvet fabric.
Workers of Joan Fabrics at both facilities were previously
certified for TAA. Workers at the Finishing Plant in Newton,
North Carolina were covered under TA-W-51,928 and workers at the
Weaving and Support Operations in Hickory, North Carolina were
covered under TA-W-51,928A. Those certifications expired on
July 16, 2005.
The investigation revealed that employment, sales and
production at Joan Fabrics Corporation, Hickory Division,
Finishing Plant, Newton, North Carolina (TA-W-51,680), declined
from January through July 2005 in comparison to January through
July 2004.
The Department of Labor surveyed the subject firm’s major
declining customers regarding their purchases of plush velvet
fabric and competitive products in 2003, 2004 and January
through June 2005. The survey revealed increased import
purchases and reduced purchases from the subject firm during the
relevant period.
The investigation revealed that output at the Hickory
Weaving plant is vertically integrated into the final plush
velvet fabric that is finished at the Newton Plan. Workers of
the Corporate Marketing Center are engaged in activities
supporting the Joan Fabrics production, including the Newton
Finishing Plant.
Employment at Joan Fabrics Corporation, Hickory Division,
Pilot Weaving, Warping, Receiving Plant and Corporate Marketing
Center, Hickory, North Carolina, declined from 2003 to 2004, and
declined in January through July 2005 in comparison to January
through July 2004.
In addition, 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 Joan Fabrics
Corporation, Hickory Division, Finishing Plant, Newton, North
Carolina (TA-W-57,680) and Joan Fabrics Corporation, Hickory
Division, Pilot Weaving, Warping, Receiving Plant and Corporate
Marketing Center, Hickory, North Carolina (TA-W-57,680A) 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 plush velvet fabric produced
by Joan Fabrics Corporation 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 Joan Fabrics Corporation, Hickory Division,
Finishing Plant, Newton, North Carolina (TA-W-57,680), and
Joan Fabrics Corporation, Hickory Division, Pilot Weaving,
Warping, Receiving Plant and Corporate Marketing Center,
Hickory, North Carolina (TA-W-57,680A), who became totally
or partially separated from employment on or after July 17,
2005, 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 at Washington, D.C., this 16th day of September 2005.
/s/ Linda G. Poole

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