DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-64,439

COOPER HOSIERY MILL, INCORPORATED
FORT PAYNE, ALABAMA

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 November 14, 2008 in
response to a petition filed by a career center representative, on
behalf of workers of Cooper Hosiery Mill, Incorporated, Fort Payne,
Alabama. The workers at the subject firm are engaged in activities
related to the production of socks.
The investigation revealed that employment and sales at Cooper
Hosiery Mill, Incorporated, Fort Payne, Alabama, declined during
the relevant period.
Furthermore, the investigation revealed that there were
substantial and increasing aggregate United States imports of
finished socks during the relevant period. The ratio of U.S.
imports to U.S. shipments of finished socks was 336 percent during
the January through September 2008 period, representing a
significant increase over the corresponding 2007 period.
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 those produced by Cooper Hosiery
Mill, Incorporated, Fort Payne, Alabama, 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 at Cooper Hosiery Mill, Incorporated, Fort Payne,
Alabama, who became totally or partially separated from
employment on or after November 13, 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 16th day of December 2008


/s/Elliott S. Kushner
______________________________
ELLIOTT S. KUSHNER
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance