DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-61,333

COATS AMERICAN, INC.
CHEROKEE PLANT
MARBLE, 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, as
amended (19 USC 2273), the Department of Labor herein presents the
results of an 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 on April 18, 2007 in response
to a petition filed by a company official on behalf of workers of
Coats American, Inc., Cherokee Plant, Marble, North Carolina.
Workers at the subject firm produce grey thread.
The investigation revealed that employment declined during
January through March 2007, when compared to the same time period
in 2006.
Furthermore, the subject firm shifted a portion of the
production of grey thread to a country (Mexico) that is party to a
free trade agreement with the United States 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 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 there has been a shift in
production from the workers' firm or subdivision to Mexico of
articles that are like or directly competitive with grey thread
produced by the subject firm or subdivision. In accordance with
the provisions of the Act, I make the following certification:
"All workers of Coats American, Inc., Cherokee Plant, Marble,
North Carolina, who became totally separated from employment
on April 16, 2006, 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 30th day of April 2007


/s/Linda G. Poole

LINDA G. POOLE
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance