DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-41,349

FAYETTE COTTON MILL INCORPORATED
FAYETTE, ALABAMA

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 April 22, 2002 and filed by a company official on
behalf of workers at Fayette Cotton Mill Inc., Fayette, Alabama.
The subject firm is a subsidiary of Fruit of the Loom Inc. The
workers produced primarily cotton yarn used in the vertically-
integrated production of men's, women's and children's underwear;
knitwear and fleecewear; and, activewear by Fruit of the Loom.
The investigation revealed that the subject mill supplied yarn
to Fruit of the Loom's textile plant in St. Martinville, Louisiana
during the impact period. All workers of Fruit of the Loom, Martin
Mills, St. Martinville, Louisiana were certified as eligible to
apply for adjustment assistance on July 5, 2001 (TA-W-38,938B).
The investigation further revealed that men's, women's and
children's underwear; knitwear and fleecewear; and, activewear
produced by 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.
U.S. imports of underwear, except foundation garments,
increased absolutely in 2000 compared to 1999, and increased
absolutely in the twelve-month period October-September 2000-2001
compared to the same period in October-September 1999-2000. In the
twelve-month period ended September 2001, the ratio of imports to
U.S. shipments was more than 182%.
U.S. imports of men's and boys' shirts increased absolutely 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 absolutely in 2000 compared to 1999, and increased
absolutely in the twelve-month period October-September 2000-2001
compared to the same period in 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
absolutely in 2000 compared to 1999, and increased absolutely in
the twelve-month period October-September 2000-2001 compared to the
same period in October-September 1999-2000. In 1998, the ratio of
imports to U.S. shipments was estimated to be more than 143%.
Conclusion
After careful review of the facts obtained in the
investigation, I conclude that increases of imports of articles
like or directly competitive with men's, women's and children's
underwear; knitwear and fleecewear; and, activewear produced at
Fayette Cotton Mill Inc., Fayette, Alabama 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 Fayette Cotton Mill Inc., Fayette, Alabama who
became totally or partially separated from employment on or
after March 11, 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 in Washington, D. C. this 13th day of May, 2002


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