DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-58,456

WESTPOINT HOME, INC.
FORMERLY WESTPOINT STEVENS, INC.
BATH PRODUCTS DIVISION
INCLUDING ON-SITE LEASED WORKERS OF
AMBASSADOR PERSONNEL
VALLEY, 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), 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 December 5, 2005 in
response to a petition filed on behalf of workers at WestPoint
Home, Inc., formerly WestPoint Stevens, Inc., Bath Products
Division, Valley, Alabama. The workers at the subject firm produce
towels.
The investigation revealed that sales, production, and
employment at the subject firm decreased during the period of
January through November of 2005 over the corresponding 2004
period.
The investigation further revealed that the subject firm
increased reliance on imports of towels from 2003 to 2004 and again
during the period of January through November 2005 over the
corresponding 2004 period.
The Department of Labor surveyed the subject firm's major
declining customers regarding their purchases of towels. The survey
revealed increased customer imports of towels from 2003 to 2004 and
again during the period of January through November 2005 over the
corresponding 2004 period.
The investigation revealed that WestPoint Home, Inc., formerly
WestPoint Stevens, Inc., Bath Products Division, Valley, Alabama
also leased workers on-site from Ambassador Personnel to produce
towels.
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 towels 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, Inc., formerly WestPoint
Stevens, Inc., Bath Products Division, including on-site
leased workers of Ambassador Personnel, Valley, Alabama, who
became totally or partially separated from employment on or
after December 2, 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 4th day of January 2006.


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