DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Employment and Training Administration
TA-W-58,784

MORETZ, INC.
KNITTING FACILITY
CONOVER, NORTH CAROLINA

TA-W-58,784A

MORETZ, INC.
NEWTON FACILITY
NEWTON, NORTH CAROLINA

TA-W-58,784B

MORETZ, INC.
WAREHOUSE FACILITY
NEWTON, NORTH CAROLINA

TA-W-58,784C

MORETZ, INC.
HICKORY FACILITY
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 February 3, 2005 in response
to a petition filed by a company official on behalf of workers of
Moretz, Inc., Knitting Facility, Conover, North Carolina, engaged
in the knitting and seaming of socks (TA-W-58,784); Moretz, Inc.,
Newton Facility, Newton, North Carolina engaged in the dyeing,
boarding, and finishing of socks (TA-W-58,784A); Moretz, Inc.,
Newton Warehouse, Newton, North Carolina engaged in the warehousing
of socks manufactured from the Newton Facility and reworking first
quality and irregulars (TA-W-58,784B), and Moretz, Inc., Hickory
Facility, Hickory, North Carolina engaged in the dyeing of socks
(TA-W-58,784C) are the subjects of this investigation. Processes
undertaking at these locations are all vertically integrated
The investigation revealed that production at the subject
firms decreased, some from 2004 to 2005 as well as some in the
month of January 2006 compared to January 2005.
Employment at the subject firm declined during the relevant
period.
The investigation further revealed that company imports of
socks increased during the relevant period.
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 the firm are age 50 or over
and do not possess skills that are 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 Moretz, Inc.,
Knitting Facility, Conover, North Carolina (TA-W-58,784); Moretz,
Inc., Newton Facility, Newton, North Carolina (TA-W-58,784A);
Moretz, Inc., Warehouse Facility, Newton, North Carolina (TA-W-
58,784B), and Moretz, Inc., Hickory Facility, Hickory, North
Carolina (TA-W-58,784C) 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 Moretz, Inc., Knitting Facility, Conover,
North Carolina (TA-W-58,784); Moretz, Inc., Newton Facility,
Newton, North Carolina (TA-W-58,784A); Moretz, Inc., Warehouse
Facility, Newton, North Carolina (TA-W-58,784B), and Moretz,
Inc., Hickory Facility, Hickory, North Carolina (TA-W-58,784C)
who became totally or partially separated from employment on
or after February 2, 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 17th day of March 2006.
/s/ Linda G. Poole
______________________________
LINDA G. POOLE
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance