Petitioner Type: Company
Impact Date: 08/08/2004
Filed Date: 08/09/2005
Most Recent Update: 09/20/2005
Determination Date: 09/20/2005
Expiration Date: 09/20/2007
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Employment and Training Administration
TA-W-57,701
OLD PRO COVER COMPANY
HOLLY HILL, SOUTH 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 August 9, 2005 in response
to a petition filed by a company official on behalf of workers of
Old Pro Cover Company, Holly Hill, South Carolina. The workers
produced lap sponges.
The investigation revealed that the subject firm is shutting
down the Holly Hill plant and separating all employees there.
The Department of Labor surveyed the major customer of the
subject firm regarding its purchases of articles like or directly
competitive with the sponges produced by the subject firm in 2003,
2004 and January through August, 2004-2005. Results of the survey
indicated that the customer is increasing its imports of sponges,
not identical, but with the same use as sponges purchased from the
subject firm, and thus directly competitive with them.
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 sponges produced at Old Pro Cover
Company, Holly Hill, South 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 Old Pro Cover Company, Holly Hill, South
Carolina who became totally or partially separated from
employment on or after August 8, 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 20th day of September 2005
/s/ Richard Church
______________________________
RICHARD CHURCH
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance