DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-61,661

COLLINS & AIKMAN
PLASTICS DIVISION
ATHENS, TENNESSEE

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 June 11, 2007, in response
to a petition filed by the AFL-CIO (USWA) Local 9496, on behalf of
workers of Collins & Aikman, Plastics Division, Athens, Tennessee.
Workers at the subject facility produce plastic components for the
automotive industry. In particular, they produce interior hard trim
plastic.
The investigation revealed that production and employment at
the subject facility declined during the relevant period.
The investigation revealed that Collins & Aikman, Plastics
Division, Athens, Tennessee, supplies components and a loss of
business with a manufacturer of motor vehicles whose workers were
certified eligible to apply for adjustment assistance contributed
importantly to the separation or threat of separation of workers at
Collins & Aikman, Plastics Division, Athens, Tennessee.
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 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 Collins & Aikman,
Plastics Division, Athens, Tennessee, 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 Collins & Aikman, Plastics Division, Athens,
Tennessee, who became totally or partially separated from
employment on or after June 8, 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 29th day of June 2007

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