DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Employment and Training Administration
TA-W-58,850

AMERICAN FIBER & FINISHING, INC.
NEWBERRY, 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), 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)(B) of
Section 222 have been met.
The investigation was initiated February 16, 2006 in response
to a petition filed on behalf of workers of American Fiber &
Finishing, Inc., Newberry, South Carolina. Workers at the subject
firm produce light weight industrial fabrics.
Workers of the subject firm were certified eligible to apply
for trade adjustment assistance under petition number TA-W-52,769,
which expired on October 6, 2005.
The investigation revealed that employment and production at
the subject firm decreased in January 2006 when compared to January
2005.
The investigation further revealed that company imports of
light weight industrial fabrics increased during the relevant
period.
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 light weight industrial fabrics
produced by American Fiber & Finishing, Inc., Newberry, 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 American Fiber & Finishing, Inc., Newberry
South Carolina who became totally or partially separated from
employment on or after October 7, 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 March 2006

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