DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-59,489

SOCKS AND THINGS, INC.
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), as amended, the Department of Labor herein presents
the results of an investigation regarding certification of
eligibility to apply for worker adjustment assistance as a
secondarily affected worker group.
The investigation was initiated on May 31, 2006 in response
to a petition filed by workers on behalf of workers at Socks and
Things, Inc., Hickory, North Carolina. The workers of the
subject firm produce socks; they are not separately
identifiable.
The investigation revealed that employment at the subject
firm declined from January to April 2006, as compared to the
same time period the previous year.
The investigation revealed that Socks and Things, Inc.,
Hickory, North Carolina, supplies component parts and at least
20 percent of its production or sales are supplied to a sock
manufacturer whose workers were certified eligible to apply for
adjustment assistance.
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 workers of Socks and Things,
Inc., Hickory, North Carolina, qualify as adversely affected
secondary workers under Section 222 of the Trade Act of 1974, as
amended. In accordance with the provisions of the Act, I make
the following certification:
"All workers of Socks and Things, Inc., Hickory, North
Carolina, who became totally or partially separated from
employment on or after May 26, 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 at Washington, D.C., this 21st day of June, 2006

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