DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-61,509

WESTPOINT HOME, INC.
FORMERLY WESTPOINT STEVENS
GRIFFTEX CHEMICALS
A SUBSIDIARY OF WESTPOINT INTERNATIONAL
OPELIKA, 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
(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.
In order to make an affirmative determination and
issue a certification of eligibility for secondary workers
to apply for Trade Adjustment Assistance, the group
eligibility requirements of paragraph (b) of Section 222 of
the Trade Act, as amended, must be met. It is determined in
this case that the requirements of (b) of Section 222, as
amended, have been met.
The investigation was initiated on May 15, 2007, in
response to a petition filed by a company official on
behalf of the workers of WestPoint Home, Inc., Grifftex
Chemicals, a subsidiary of WestPoint International,
Opelika, Alabama. The workers are engaged in the
production of finishing chemicals (i.e. chemical compounds
for cloth).
WestPoint Home, Inc., Grifftex Chemicals, Opelika,
Alabama supplies finishing chemicals and a loss of business
with a manufacturer of bed sheeting material whose workers
were certified eligible to apply for adjustment assistance
contributed importantly to the separation or threat of
separation of workers at WestPoint Home, Inc., Grifftex
Chemicals.
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 workers of WestPoint Home,
Inc., formerly WestPoint Stevens, Grifftex Chemicals, a
subsidiary of WestPoint International, Opelika, Alabama,
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 WestPoint Home, Inc., formerly
WestPoint Stevens, Grifftex Chemicals, a subsidiary of
WestPoint International, Opelika, Alabama who became
totally or partially separated from employment on or
after May 14, 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 15th day of June, 2007


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