DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-70,598

MOUNT VERNON MILLS
BRENTEX DIVISION
COLUMBUS PLANT
COLUMBUS, MISSISSIPPI

Certification Regarding Eligibility
To Apply for Worker Adjustment Assistance

In accordance with Section 223 of the Trade Act of 1974, as
amended ("Act"), 19 U.S.C. § 2273, the Department of Labor
herein presents the results of an investigation regarding
certification of eligibility to apply for worker adjustment
assistance.
The group eligibility requirements for workers of a Firm
under Section 222(a) of the Act, 19 U.S.C. § 2272(a), can be
satisfied if the following criteria are met:
(1) a significant number or proportion of the workers in such
workers' firm have become totally or partially separated, or
are threatened to become totally or partially separated; and

(2)(A)(i) the sales or production, or both, of such firm have
decreased absolutely; and

(ii)(II)(aa) imports of articles like or directly
competitive with articles into which one or more
component parts produced by such firm are directly
incorporated; and

(iii) the increase in imports described in clause (ii)
contributed importantly to such workers' separation or
threat of separation and to the decline in the sales or
production of such firm.


The investigation was initiated in response to a petition
filed on May 22, 2009 by a company official on behalf of workers
and former workers of Mount Vernon Mills, Inc., Brentex
Division, Columbus Plant, Columbus, Mississippi (Mount Vernon
Mills). The worker group is engaged in activity related to the
production of garment pieces (such as pockets and waistbands).
The investigation revealed that workers of Mount Vernon
Mills who are engaged in activities related to garment piece
production meet the criteria for certification.
A significant number or proportion of the workers' firm
have been, or are threatened to be, totally or partially
separated.
Mount Vernon Mills' sales and production of garment
pieces decreased during 2008 from 2007 levels, and decreased
during January through April 2009 from the corresponding
period the previous year.
During the period of sales and production declines at Mount
Vernon Mills, there were increased imports of apparel like or
directly competitive with the articles that incorporated the
garment pieces produced by Mount Vernon Mills.


The increased imports of apparel by customers of Mount
Vernon Mills contributed importantly to the worker group
separations and Mount Vernon Mills' sales and production
declines.
Conclusion
After careful review of the facts obtained in the
investigation, I determine that workers of Mount Vernon Mills,
Inc., Brentex Division, Columbus Plant, Columbus, Mississippi,
who are engaged in activities related to the production of
garment pieces meet the worker group certification criteria
under Section 222(a) of the Act, 19 U.S.C. § 2272(a). In
accordance with Section 223 of the Act, 19 U.S.C. § 2273, I make
the following certification:


"All workers of Mount Vernon Mills, Inc., Brentex Division,
Columbus Plant, Columbus, Mississippi, who became totally
or partially separated from employment on or after May 22,
2008, through two years from the date of certification, and
all workers in the group threatened with total or partial
separation from employment on the date of certification
through two years from the date of certification, are
eligible to apply for adjustment assistance under Chapter 2
of Title II of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended."

Signed in Washington, D.C., this 18th day of June, 2009



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