DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-38,936

FRUIT OF THE LOOM
GREENVILLE MANUFACTURING
GREENVILLE, MISSISSIPPI

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 26, 2001, filed on behalf of workers at Fruit of
the Loom, Greenville Manufacturing, Greenville, Mississippi. The
workers were engaged in employment related to the production of
men's and women's underwear.
The investigation revealed that sales, production, and em-
ployment at the subject firm declined to zero on January 9, 2001
when the Greenville plant closed. The investigation further re-
vealed that the subject firm has firmly established and expanded a
reliance on imported men's and women's underwear that is like and
directly comparable with that produced at Fruit of the Loom,
Greenville Manufacturing, Greenville, Mississippi.
The undergarments produced by the Fruit of the Loom are
marketed through normal retail channels. Thus the articles
manufactured by the subject firm have been impacted importantly by
the high penetration of imports into this market. Investigative
findings revealed that the aggregate U.S. import-to-shipments ratio
in the men's and women's underwear category was 182% in the
relevant period.
Conclusion
After careful review of the facts obtained in the investiga
tion, I conclude that increases of imports of articles like or
directly competitive with the articles produced by Fruit of the
Loom, Greenville Manufacturing, Greenville, Mississippi, contrib
uted 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 Fruit of the Loom, Greenville Manufacturing,
Greenville, Mississippi, who became totally or partially
separated from employment on or after March 5, 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 at Washington, D.C., this 2nd day of July, 2001.


/s/ Linda G. Poole

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