DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-64,610

SYNTHETICS FINISHING DIVISION
LONGVIEW PLANT
A SUBSIDIARY OF TSG INCORPORATED
HICKORY, 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 December 8, 2008 in
response to a petition filed on behalf of the workers of
Synthetics Finishing Division, Longview Plant, a subsidiary of
TSG Incorporated, Hickory, North Carolina; Synthetics Finishing
Division, Conover Plant, a subsidiary of TSG Incorporated,
Conover, North Carolina; and Synthetics Finishing Division, 321
Plant, a subsidiary of TSG Incorporated, Hickory, North
Carolina. The workers are engaged in activities related to the
finishing of flame retardant fabric.
The investigation revealed employment and sales at
Synthetics Finishing Division, Longview Plant, a subsidiary of
TSG Incorporated, Hickory, North Carolina decreased from 2006 to
2007 and during January through November 2008 over the
corresponding 2007 period.
The Department of Labor surveyed the subject firm's major
declining customer regarding purchases of flame retardant fabric
during the relevant period.
The survey revealed that the respondent increased reliance
on purchases of imported flame retardant fabric 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 flame retardant fabric
produced by Synthetics Finishing Division, Longview Plant, a
subsidiary of TSG Incorporated, Hickory, North 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 Synthetics Finishing Division, Longview
Plant, a subsidiary of TSG Incorporated, Hickory, North
Carolina, who became totally or partially separated from
employment on or after December 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 10th day of February 2009

/s/ Elliott S. Kushner

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