DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-64,729

FORSTER TEXTILE MILLS, INC.
MAXTON, 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 18, 2008, in
response to a petition filed by a company official on behalf of
workers of Forster Textile Mills, Inc., Maxton, North Carolina.
The workers produce woven drapery fabric.
The investigation revealed that employment and production
declined at the subject facility during the period under
investigation.
The investigation revealed that U.S. aggregate imports of
woven fabric increased relative to U.S. shipments from 2006 to
2007, and during the partial year period of January through October
2008 compared with the corresponding period of 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 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 woven drapery fabric produced at
Forster Textile Mills, Inc., Maxton, 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 Forster Textile Mills, Inc., Maxton, North
Carolina, who became totally or partially separated from
employment on or after December 17, 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 26th day of January 2009



/s/Linda G. Poole
______________________________
LINDA G. POOLE
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance