DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-62,923

AMERICAN FIBER AND FINISHING, INC.
NEWBERRY, 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, 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)(A) of Section 222 have been met.
The investigation was initiated on February 28, 2008, in
response to a petition filed by a company official on behalf of
workers of American Fiber and Finishing, Inc., Newberry, South
Carolina. The workers are engaged in the production of light
weight industrial fabrics.
The investigation determined that production and employment
at the subject firm declined from 2006 through 2007 and during
January through February 2008 over the corresponding 2007
period.
The investigation also revealed that the company increased
import purchases of light weight industrial fabrics during the
relevant period.
All workers of American Fiber and Finishing, Inc.,
Newberry, South Carolina, were previously certified eligible to
apply for adjustment assistance under petition number TA-W-
58,850. The certification expires March 28, 2008.
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 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 the light weight industrial
fabrics produced by American Fiber and Finishing, Inc.,
Newberry, 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 American Fiber and Finishing, Inc.,
Newberry, South Carolina, who became totally or partially
separated from employment on or after March 29, 2008,
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 14th day of March, 2008.


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