DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-38,508

VF IMAGEWEAR EAST
(FORMERLY VF KNITWEAR)
NORTH WILKESBORO, NORTH CAROLINA

Certification Regarding Eligibility
To Apply for Worker Adjustment Assistance

In accordance with Section 223 of the Trade Act of 1974 (19
USC 2273) as amended by the Omnibus Trade and Competitiveness Act
of 1988 (P. L. 100-418), the Department of Labor herein presents
the results of an investigation regarding certification of eligi-
bility to apply for worker adjustment assistance.
In order to make an affirmative determination and issue a
certification of eligibility to apply for adjustment assistance
each of the group eligibility requirements of Section 222 of the
Act must be met. It is determined that all of the requirements
have been met.
The investigation was initiated in response to a petition
received on January 9, 2001, filed on behalf of workers at VF
Imagewear East, North Wilkesboro, North Carolina. The workers
were engaged in employment related to the production of fleece
apparel including jerseys and T-shirts.
A petition for NAFTA Transitional Adjustment Assistance has
also been filed (NAFTA-4412).

This investigation revealed that the subject firm has
increased its reliance on apparel produced abroad while
decreasing production and employment at the plant in North
Wilkesboro, North Carolina in the relevant time periods.
Conclusion
After careful review of the facts obtained in the investi-
gation, I conclude that increases of imports of articles like or
directly competitive with jersey and fleece apparel manufactured
at VF Imagewear East, North Wilkesboro, North Carolina,
contributed importantly to the total or partial separation of
workers of that firm. In accordance with the provisions of the
Act, I make the following certification:
"All workers of VF Imagewear East, North Wilkesboro
Division, North Carolina, who became totally or partially
separated from employment on or after December 18, 1999,
through two years from the date of certification, are
eligible to apply for adjustment assistance under Section
223 of the Trade Act of 1974."
Signed in Washington, D. C. this 17th day of April, 2001.


/s/ Linda G. Poole

LINDA G. POOLE
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance