DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-60,568

FIBERWEB, INCORPORATED
BETHUNE, 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), 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 in response to a petition
received on December 11, 2006 and filed by a company official on
behalf of workers at Fiberweb, Inc., Bethune, South Carolina.
The workers produced nonwoven textile fabric. The workers are
not separately identifiable by product.
The investigation revealed that plant sales, production and
employment declined during the relevant period.

The Department of Labor conducted a survey of the subject
firm's major declining customer regarding their purchases of
nonwoven textile fabric during 2006 over the corresponding to
2005 period. The survey revealed customers increased their
reliance on imported nonwoven textile fabric 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 addition, 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 subject facility are
age 50 or older 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 nonwoven textile fabric
produced at Fiberweb, Inc., Bethune, 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 Fiberweb, Inc., Bethune, South Carolina who
became totally or partially separated from employment on or
after December 8, 2005 through two years from the date of
certification are eligible to apply for adjustment assis-
tance 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 January, 2007.


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