DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-38,754

WESTPOINT STEVENS, INC.
ROSEMARY PLANTS
ROANOKE RAPIDS, 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
eligibility 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 in this case that all of the
requirements have been met.
The investigation was initiated in response to a petition
received on March 5, 2001, and filed on behalf of workers at
WestPoint Stevens, Inc. Rosemary Plants, Roanoke Rapids, North
Carolina. The Rosemary plants are comprised of the Rosemary Greige
Plant, Rosemary Fabrication Plant, Rosemary Finishing Plant, and
the Rosemary Distribution Center. The workers produce bath towels
for the retail market.
The investigation revealed that the subject firm experienced
absolute declines in sales, production, and employment.
Furthermore, the investigation revealed that there was a
substantial increase of U.S. imports of bath towels from 1999 to
2000. Imports of bath towels increased both absolutely and
relative to U.S. shipments in that time period.
Conclusion
After careful review of the facts obtained in the
investigation, I conclude that increases of imports of articles
like or directly competitive with bath towels produced by WestPoint
Stevens, Inc., Rosemary Plants, Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina,
contributed importantly to the decline in sales or production and
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 WestPoint Stevens, Inc., Rosemary Plants,
Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina, who became totally or partially
separated from employment on or after February 15, 2000, 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 29th day of June, 2001.
/s/ Linda G. Poole
___________________________
LINDA G. POOLE
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance