DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-59,415

WESTPOINT HOME
BED PRODUCTS DIVISION
COLUMBIA OPERATION
COLUMBIA, 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, as
amended (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 on May 18, 2006, in response
to a petition filed by a company official on behalf of workers at
WestPoint Home, Bed Products Division, Columbia Operation,
Columbia, Alabama. The workers at the subject firm produce bed
products (e.g. sheeting).
The investigation revealed employment and production at the
subject firm declined during the relevant period.
The investigation further revealed that the subject firm
increased imports of bed products (e.g. sheeting) during the period
of January through April 2006 over the corresponding 2005 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 on imports of articles
like or directly competitive with bed products (e.g. sheeting)
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, Bed Products Division,
Columbia Operation, Columbia, Alabama who became totally or
partially separated from employment on or after May 16, 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 24th day of May, 2006.

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