DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-40,971

M.J. SOFFE COMPANY
BLADENBORO, 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 11, 2002 and filed on behalf of workers at M.J.
Soffe Company, Bladenboro, North Carolina. The workers produced
fleece sweatshirts and sweat pants.
The investigation revealed that U.S. imports of men's and boys'
shirts increased in 2000 compared to 1999. In 1999, the ratio of
imports to U.S. shipments was more than 180%.
U.S. imports of women's and girls' blouses and shirts increased
in 2000 compared to 1999 and in the twelve-month period ended
September 2001 compared to October-September 1999-2000. In 2000, the
ratio of imports to U.S. shipments was 399%.
U.S. imports of women's and girls' slacks and shorts increased
in 2000 compared to 1999 and in the twelve-month period ended
September 2001 compared to October-September 1999-2000. In 1998, the
ratio of imports to U.S. shipments was estimated to be more than
143%.
Company imports of fleece sweatshirts increased absolutely in
2000 compared to 1999 and in January-September 2001 compared to the
same period in 2000. Company imports increased relative to
production in January-March 2002 compared to the same period in
2001.
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 fleece sweatshirts and sweat pants
produced at M.J. Soffe Company, Bladenboro, 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 M.J. Soffe Company, Bladenboro, North Carolina
who became totally or partially separated from employment on or
after January 30, 2001 are eligible to apply for adjustment
assistance under Section 223 of the Trade Act of 1974."

Signed in Washington, D. C. this 20th day of May, 2002


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