DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-65,536

HS CONVERTING
A SUBSIDIARY OF
HICKORY SPRINGS MANUFACTURING COMPANY
CONOVER, 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 an investigation regarding certification of eligibility
to apply for worker adjustment assistance as a secondarily affected
worker group.
In order to make an affirmative determination and issue a
certification of eligibility for secondary workers to apply for
Trade Adjustment Assistance, the group eligibility requirements of
paragraph (b) of Section 222 of the Trade Act, as amended, must be
met. It is determined in this case that the requirements of (b) of
Section 222, as amended, have been met.
The investigation was initiated on March 10, 2009, in response
to a petition filed by a company official on behalf of the workers
at HS Converting, a subsidiary of Hickory Springs Manufacturing
Company, Conover, North Carolina. The workers are engaged in
production of converted non-woven fabric for furniture and bedding
manufacturers.
Employment at the subject firm declined from 2008 through
February 2009.
The investigation revealed that HS Converting, Conover, North
Carolina supplied components for upholstery covers and a loss of
business with a manufacturer whose workers were certified eligible
to apply for adjustment assistance contributed importantly to the
separation or threat of separation of workers at HS Converting,
Conover, North Carolina.
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 addition, 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 workers at HS Converting, Conover,
North Carolina, qualify as adversely affected secondary workers
under Section 222 of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended. In
accordance with the provisions of the Act, I make the following
certification:
"All workers of HS Converting, a subsidiary of Hickory Springs
Manufacturing Company, Conover, North Carolina, who became
totally or partially separated from employment on or after
March 10, 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, 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 13th day of April 2009
/s/ Linda G. Poole
______________________________
LINDA G. POOLE
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance