DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-40,203

HAMRICK'S INC.
ST. MATTHEWS PLANT
ST. MATTHEWS, SOUTH 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 on October 15, 2001, and filed by the company on behalf of workers at Hamrick's, Inc., St. Matthews Plant, St. Matthews, South Carolina. The workers were engaged in the production of ladies' pants.
The investigation revealed that sales, employment and production will decline to zero with the closing of the plant in November 2001.



Further findings of the investigation revealed that the subject firm is relying on imports of ladies' pants from abroad.
Currently, the workers are under an existing investigation for NAFTA-Transitional Adjustment Assistance, NAFTA #5383.
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 those produced at Hamrick's, Inc., St. Matthews Plant, St. Matthews, South Carolina, contributed importantly to the decline in sales or production and to the total or partial separation of workers of the subject firm. In accordance with the provisions of the Act, I make the following certification:
"All workers of Hamrick's, Inc., St. Matthews Plant, St. Matthews, South Carolina, who became totally or partially separated from employment on or after September 27, 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 19th day of November, 2001.

/s/ Linda G. Poole
_______________________________
LINDA G. POOLE
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance