DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-64,555

BLAIR MILLS LLC
INCLUDING ON-SITE LEASED WORKERS FROM ACTION STAFFING AND
EMPLOYMENT STAFFING
BELTON, 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 (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 28, 2008 in response
to a petition filed by a company official on behalf of workers of
Blair Mills LLC, South Carolina. The workers produce terry towels.
The worker group includes on-site leased workers from Action
Staffing and Employment Staffing.
The investigation revealed that employment at the subject
facility declined during January through November 2008 compared to the
corresponding 2007 period.
The investigation also revealed that the subject firm is phasing
down production at the subject firm as they increase their reliance on
imported terry towels during the relevant 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 terry towels produced at Blair Mills LLC, including
on-site leased workers from Action Staffing and Employment Staffing,
Belton, 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 Blair Mills LLC, including on-site leased
workers from Action Staffing and Employment Staffing, Belton,
South Carolina, who became totally or partially separated from
employment on or after November 11, 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 10th day of December 2008

/s/ Elliott S. Kushner

______________________________
ELLIOTT S. KUSHNER
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance