DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-62,233

BURKE HOSIERY MILLS, 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 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 on October 2, 2007 in response
to a petition filed by a company official on behalf of workers of
Burke Hosiery Mills, Inc., Hickory, North Carolina. The workers at
the subject firm produce infants' and children's socks.
The investigation revealed that sales, production, and
employment at the subject firm declined during the relevant period.
The Department of Labor surveyed the subject firm's primary
customers regarding their purchases of infants' and children's
socks in 2005, 2006, and January through September 2007. The
survey revealed that major declining customers increased their
imports while decreasing purchases from the subject firm in the
January through September 2007 relevant period.
Moreover, United States aggregate imports of socks increased
absolutely and relative to domestic shipments in 2006 compared with
2005, and in January through July 2007 compared with the same
period in 2006. The United States import/shipment ratio for socks
exceeded 100 percent in these periods.
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 increases of imports of articles
like or directly competitive with infants' and children's socks
produced at Burke Hosiery Mills, Inc., Hickory, North 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 Burke Hosiery Mills, Inc., Hickory, North
Carolina who became totally or partially separated from
employment on or after September 27, 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 in Washington, D. C. this 2nd day of November, 2007.


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