DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-41,062

PALMETTO LOOM REED COMPANY
GREENVILLE, SOUTH CAROLINA

Negative Determination 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 eligi-
bility 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:
(1) that a significant number or proportion of the workers in
the workers' firm, or an appropriate subdivision thereof,
have become totally or partially separated, or are
threatened to become totally or partially separated;

(2) that sales or production, or both, of the firm or subdi-
vision have decreased absolutely; and

(3) that increases of imports of articles like or directly
competitive with articles produced by the firm or appro-
priate subdivision have contributed importantly to the
separations, or threat thereof, and to the absolute
decline in sales or production.

The investigation was initiated on March 18, 2002 in response
to a petition filed by the company on behalf of workers at Palmetto
Loom Reed Company, Greenville, South Carolina. The workers produced
loom reeds for textile weaving machines.
The investigation revealed that criterion (3) has not been
met.
The petitioner alleges that increased imports of fabric
contributed importantly to the decline in sales and production and
to the separation of workers producing loom reeds at Palmetto Loom
Reed Company. However, fabric cannot be considered to be like or
directly competitive with loom reed. Imports of loom reeds must be
considered in determining import injury to workers at Palmetto Loom
Reed Company.
U.S. imports of reeds for looms, healds, and heald-frames
decreased in 2001 compared to 2000.
The Department conducted a survey of customers of the subject
firm regarding their purchases of loom reeds in 2000 and 2001. The
survey revealed that none of the respondents imported loom reeds in
the relevant period.


Conclusion
After careful review, I determine that all workers of Palmetto
Loom Reed Company, Greenville, South Carolina are denied
eligibility to apply for adjustment assistance under Section 223 of
the Trade Act of 1974.

Signed in Washington, D. C. this 21st day of June, 2002


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