DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-62,935

WESTPOINT HOME, INC.
BED DIVISION
BIDDEFORD, MAINE

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.
This investigation was initiated on March 3, 2008 in
response to a petition filed by a company official on behalf of
workers of WestPoint Homes Inc., Bed Division, Biddeford, Maine.
The workers produce blankets.
The workers of the firm were certified eligible to apply
for adjustment assistance under TA-W-56,202, which expired
December 05, 2007.
The investigation revealed that production and employment
in the Bed Division at the Biddeford, Maine facility declined in
January through February 2008 compared with the same period the
previous year.
The subject firm has increased its reliance on imports of
blankets during the period under investigation, replacing a
portion of production of blankets at the plant.
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 increases of imports of articles
like or directly competitive with blankets produced at WestPoint
Homes, Inc., Bed Division, Biddeford, Maine, 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 WestPoint Homes, Inc., Bed Division, who
became totally or partially separated from employment on or
after December 6, 2007 through two years from the date of
certification are eligible to apply for adjustment assis-
tance 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 7th day of March 2008.


/s/Richard Church
______________________________
RICHARD CHURCH
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance