DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-65,608

WESTPOINT HOME, INCORPORATED
BED PRODUCTS DIVISION
ABBEVILLE, ALABAMA

Certification Regarding Eligibility
To Apply for Worker Adjustment Assistance and
Alternative Trade Adjustment Assistance

In accordance with Section 223 of the Trade Act of 1974 (19
USC 2273), as amended, the Department of Labor herein presents the
results of its 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 Trade Adjustment
Assistance, the group eligibility requirements in either paragraph
(a)(2)(A) or (a)(2)(B) of Section 222 of the Trade Act must be met.
It is determined in this case that the requirements of (a)(2)(B) of
Section 222 have been met.
The investigation was initiated on March 17, 2009 in response
to a petition filed by a company official on behalf of workers of
WestPoint Home, Incorporated, Bed Products Division, Abbeville,
Alabama. The workers are engaged in shipping activities related to
bedding accessories produced by the firm.
All workers of the subject firm were previously certified
eligible to apply for adjustment assistance under petition number
TA-W-60,980, which expired March 7, 2009.
This investigation revealed that there was a decline in
employment at the subject firm between March 2008 and March 2009.
The investigation determined that the decline in employment at
the subject firm is directly related to the actual or likely
increase in imports of like or directly competitive bedding
accessories following a shift in production by WestPoint Home to
China, Pakistan, and India. All workers of WestPoint Home, Bed
Products Division, Chipley, Florida were certified eligible to
apply for adjustment assistance based on that shift in production
(TA-W-61,513).
Additionally, in accordance with Section 246 of the Trade Act
of 1974 (26 USC 2813), as amended, the Department of Labor herein
presents the results of its investigation regarding certification
of eligibility to apply for Alternative Trade Adjustment Assistance
(ATAA) for older workers.
In order for the Department to issue a certification of
eligibility to apply for ATAA, the group eligibility requirements
of Section 246 of the Trade Act must be met. The Department has
determined in this case that the requirements of Section 246 have
been met.
A significant number of workers at the firm are age 50 or over
and possess skills that are not easily transferable. Competitive
conditions within the industry are adverse.




Conclusion
After careful review of the facts obtained in the
investigation, I determine that there was a shift in production
from the workers' firm or subdivision to China, Pakistan, and India
of articles that are like or directly competitive with those
produced by the subject firm or subdivision, and there has been or
is likely to be an increase in imports of like or directly
competitive articles. In accordance with the provisions of the Act,
I make the following certification:
"All workers of WestPoint Home, Incorporated, Bed Products
Division, Abbeville, Alabama, who became totally or partially
separated from employment on or after March 8, 2009, through
two years from the date of certification are eligible to apply
for adjustment assistance under Section 223 of the Trade Act
of 1974, and are also eligible to apply for alternative trade
adjustment assistance under Section 246 of the Trade Act of
1974."
Signed in Washington, D.C., this 20th day of April, 2009

/s/ Linda G. Poole

_______________________________
LINDA G. POOLE
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance