DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Employment and Training Administration
TA-W-41,409

WELLMAN, INC.
FAYETTEVILLE, 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 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. 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 29, 2002, filed by a company official on behalf
of workers at Wellman, Inc., Fayetteville, North Carolina. The
workers were engaged in the production of polyester filament
yarn.
The investigation revealed that all sales, production, and
employment at the Fayetteville plant declined to zero on May 11,
2002 when the facility was shut down.
The U.S. Department of Labor conducted a survey of major
customers of the subject firm regarding their purchases of
polyester filament yarn in 2000, 2001, January-June 2001, and
January-June 2002. The survey revealed that a major customer
reported increasing its imports of polyester filament yarn, while
decreasing purchases from the subject firm during the relevant
period.
Conclusion
After careful review of the facts obtained in the investiga-
tion, I conclude that increased imports of articles like or
directly competitive with polyester filament yarn produced at
Wellman, Inc., Fayetteville, North Carolina, contributed import-
antly 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 Wellman, Inc., Fayetteville, North Carolina,
who became totally or partially separated from employment on
or after April 22, 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 19th day of September 2002.
/s/ Richard Church

______________________________
RICHARD CHURCH
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance