DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-63,808

SOFT SOCKS, INC.
BURLINGTON, 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 August 5, 2008 in response
to a petition filed by a company official on behalf of workers of
Soft Socks, Inc., Burlington, North Carolina. The workers at the
subject firm were engaged in activities related to the production
of hosiery, specifically, men's, women's and children's socks;
workers were not separately identifiable by product line.
The investigation revealed that employment and production at
the subject firm decreased absolutely with the cessation of
operations on July 23, 2008.
The investigation revealed that there were increasing
aggregate United States imports of socks from 2006 to 2007 and
comparing the period of January through June 2008 to the same
period in 2007.
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 facility 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 socks produced by Soft Socks,
Inc., Burlington, North Carolina contributed importantly to the
total or partial separation of workers and to the decline in sales
or production and at that facility or subdivision. In accordance
with the provisions of the Act, I make the following certification:
"All workers of Soft Socks, Inc., Burlington, North Carolina
who became totally or partially separated from employment on
or after August 1, 2007 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 9th day of September 2008

/s/ Linda G. Poole

__________________________________
LINDA G. POOLE
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance