DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-58,767

HOUSTON HOSIERY MILLS, INC.
VALDESE, 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 February 1, 2006,
in response to a petition filed by a company official on
behalf of workers of Houston Hosiery Mills, Inc., Valdese,
North Carolina. The workers are engaged in activities
related to the production of socks.
The investigation revealed sales, production and
employment at the subject firm declined during the period
under investigation.
Furthermore, the investigation revealed that there
were substantial and increasing aggregate United States
imports of hosiery/socks. In 2004, the ratio of United
States imports to United States shipments of hosiery/socks
exceeded 100 percent. From 2004 to 2005, aggregate United
States imports of hosiery/socks increased ablsolutely.
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 socks produced
at Houston Hosiery Mills, Inc., Valdese, 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:
"Workers of Houston Hosiery Mills, Inc., Valdese,
North Carolina who became totally or partially
separated from employment on or after January 25, 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 in Washington, D. C. this 28th day of February, 2006


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