DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-64,952

HERITAGE FOOTWEAR, INC.
FORT PAYNE, ALABAMA

Certification Regarding Eligibility
To Apply for Worker Adjustment Assistance and
Negative Determination Regarding Eligibility to Apply For

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 January 22, 2009 in response
to a petition filed on behalf of workers of Heritage Footwear, Inc.,
Fort Payne, Alabama. Workers at the subject firm produce socks.
The investigation revealed that employment at the subject firm
declined during the relevant period.
United States aggregate imports of socks were very high and
increasing both absolutely and relative to U.S. shipments in 2007
compared with 2006 and in the first three quarters of 2008 compared
with the same period one year earlier.
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.
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.
The group eligibility criteria for the ATAA program that the
Department must consider under Section 246 of the Trade Act are:
1. Whether a significant number of workers in the workers'
firm are 50 years of age or older.

2. Whether the workers in the workers' firm possess skills
that are not easily transferable.

3. The competitive conditions within the workers' industry
(i.e., conditions within the industry are adverse).

The Department has determined that the first criterion has not
been met.
The investigation revealed that there was not a significant
number of workers in the workers' firm that are 50 years of age or
older.
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 Heritage Footwear, Inc., Fort
Payne, Alabama, contributed to the total or partial separation of
workers and to the decline in sales or production and at that firm or
subdivision. In accordance with the provisions of the Act, I make the
following certification:
"All workers at Heritage Footwear, Inc., Fort Payne, Alabama who
became totally or partially separated from employment on or
after January 14, 2008 through two years from the date of
certification are eligible to apply for adjustment assistance
under Section 223 of the Trade Act of 1974."
I further determine that all workers of Heritage Footwear, Inc.,
Fort Payne, Alabama are denied eligibility to apply for
alternative trade adjustment assistance under Section 246 of the
Trade Act of 1974.
Signed in Washington, D.C., this 17th of February 2009

/s/Richard Church
______________________________
RICHARD CHURCH
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance