DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-40,775

PILLOWTEX CORPORATION
TARBORO PLANT
TARBORO, 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 February 11, 2002, and filed by the company on behalf
of workers at Pillowtex Corporation, Tarboro Plant, Tarboro, North
Carolina. The workers produce various counts of cotton open-end
yarn used in the production of towels and washcloths.


The investigation revealed that sales, production, and
employment at the subject firm declined absolutely.
The sister facilities (Pillowtex Corporation, Fieldcrest
Cannon – Plant 1, Kannapolis, North Carolina (TA-W-39,416B), and
Eagle Plant, Columbus, Georgia (TA-W-39,416C), both producing
towels and washcloths, were certified on August 14, 2001 and
November 13, 2001 respectively. The certifications were based on
aggregate U.S. imports of cotton cloth towels and washcloths
increasing significantly during the relevant period. Significant
portions of the various counts of cotton open-end yarn produced at
the subject firm facility is vertically integrated into the TAA
certified affiliated facilities.
A petition for eligibility for NAFTA-Transitional Adjustment
Assistance has been filed by the company on behalf of workers at
the subject firm (NAFTA-5888).
Conclusion
After careful review of the facts obtained in the
investigation, I conclude that increases of imports of articles
like or directly competitive with cloth towels and washcloths
produced at the Fieldcrest Canon – Eagle Plant, Columbus, Georgia
and Plant 1, Kannapolis, North Carolina facilities are vertically
integrated to those produced at Pillowtex Corporation, Tarboro
Plant, Tarboro, 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 Pillowtex Corporation, Tarboro Plant, Tarboro,
North Carolina, engaged in employment related to the
production of various counts of cotton open-end yarn used in
the manufacturing of washcloths and towels who, became totally
or partially separated from employment on or after January 4,
2001, 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 23rd day of May, 2002.


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