DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-64,689

V.I. PREWETT AND SONS, INC.
A SUBSIDIARY OF GILDAN ACTIVEWEAR
INCLUDING WORKERS OF BRIGGS & BRIGGS AND FIRST CHOICE STAFFING
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, as
amended (19 USC 2273), the Department of Labor herein presents
the results of an 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)(B) of Section 222 have been met.
The investigation was initiated on December 16, 2008 in
response to a petition filed by workers of V.I. Prewett and
Sons, Inc., a subsidiary of Gildan Activewear, Fort Payne,
Alabama. Workers at the subject firm produced socks. The worker
group includes on-site temporary workers from Briggs & Briggs
and First Choice Staffing.
The investigation revealed that actual or threatened
declines in employment at the subject firm are related to a
shift in production of socks to Honduras, a country that is
party to a free trade agreement with the United States.
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 there has been a shift in
production from the workers' firm or subdivision to Honduras of
articles that are like or directly competitive with those
produced by the subject firm or subdivision. In accordance with
the provisions of the Act, I make the following certification:


"All workers of V.I. Prewett and Sons, Inc., a subsidiary
of Gildan Activewear, including on-site temporary workers
from Briggs & Briggs and First Choice Staffing, Fort Payne,
Alabama who became totally separated from employment on
December 15, 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 at Washington, D.C., this 30th day of December 2008

/s/ Richard Church

______________________________
RICHARD CHURCH
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance