Granville Hosiery, Inc. Oxford, NC; Notice of Revised Determination on Reconsideration

By letter dated September 24, 2004 a company official requested administrative reconsideration regarding the Department's Negative Determination Regarding Eligibility to Apply for Worker Adjustment Assistance, applicable to the workers of the subject firm.

The initial investigation resulted in a negative determination signed on August 26, 2004 was based on the finding that imports of men's, women's, and children's socks did not contribute importantly to worker separations at the subject plant and no shift of production to a foreign source occurred. The denial notice was published in the Federal Register on September 23, 2004 (69 FR 57093).

To support the request for reconsideration, the company official supplied additional information. Upon further review of the initial investigation and contact with subject firm's largest customers, it was revealed that subject firm customers significantly increased their import purchases of socks while decreasing its purchases from the subject firm during the relevant period.

It was further revealed that U.S. aggregate imports of socks increased significantly, while aggregate domestic production of socks decreased during the relevant period.

In accordance with Section 246 the Trade Act of 1974 (26 U.S.C. 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 additional facts obtained on reconsideration, I conclude that increased imports of articles like or directly competitive with those produced at Granville Hosiery, Inc., Oxford, North Carolina, contributed importantly to the declines in sales or production and to the total or partial separation of workers at the subject firm. In accordance with the provisions of the Act, I make the following certification:

All workers of Granville Hosiery, Inc., Oxford, North Carolina, who became totally or partially separated from employment on or after August 5, 2003 through two years from the date of this certification, are eligible to apply for adjustment assistance under Section 223 of the Trade Act of 1974, and are eligible to apply for alternative trade adjustment assistance under Section 246 of the Trade Act of 1974.