DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-58,254

WESTPOINT HOME
FORMERLY WESTPOINT STEVENS, INC.
BIDDEFORD PLANT
BASIC BEDDING DIVISION
BIDDEFORD, MAINE

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 November 2, 2005 in
response to a petition filed by a company official on behalf of
workers at WestPoint Home, formerly WestPoint Stevens, Inc.,
Biddeford Plant, Basic Bedding Division, Biddeford, Maine. The
workers at the subject firm produce blankets.
The investigation revealed that sales, production, and
employment at the subject firm decreased from 2003 to 2004 and
again during the period of January through October of 2005 over the
corresponding period in 2004.
The Department of Labor surveyed the subject firm’s major
declining customers regarding their purchases of blankets. The
survey revealed increased customer imports of blankets during the
period of January through October 2005 over the corresponding 2004
period.
In addition, in accordance with Section 246 of 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 an increase in imports of articles
like or directly competitive with blankets produced at the subject
firm 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 WestPoint Home, formerly WestPoint Stevens,
Inc., Biddeford Plant, Basic Bedding Division, Biddeford,
Maine, who became totally or partially separated from
employment on or after October 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 5th day of December 2005.

/s/ Linda G. Poole
_______________________________
LINDA G. POOLE
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance