[Federal Register: May 24, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 100)]
[Notices]               
[Page 29580]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr24my04-92]                         

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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

[TA-W-53,798]

 
Mohican Mills, Inc., Lincolnton, NC; Negative Determination on 
Reconsideration

    On April 16, 2004, the Department issued an Affirmative 
Determination Regarding Application for Reconsideration for the workers 
and former workers of the subject firm. The Department's notice was 
published in the Federal Register on April 30, 2004 (69 FR 23818).
    The Department initially denied Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) 
to workers of Mohican Mills, Inc., Lincolnton, North Carolina because 
the ``contributed importantly'' group eligibility requirement of 
section 222(3) of the Trade Act of 1974 was not met. The subject worker 
group produces textiles, primarily warp knit products, and workers are 
not separately identifiable by product line. During the relevant 
period, the company did not import or shift production abroad. A survey 
of the company's major declining customers revealed insignificant 
amounts of warp knit fabric imports during the relevant time period. 
Aggregate data showed decreased imports during the relevant time.
    The petitioner alleges in the request for reconsideration that lace 
is not the same as warp knit fabrics and that workers who make lace 
produces are separately identifiable from workers who make other types 
of warp knit fabric. The petitioner requests that the negative 
determination not be applied to lace producers and that the Department 
address only lace products in the new investigation. The petitioner 
also alleges that that increased imports of raw lace material has 
negatively impacted domestic lace production.
    In the reconsideration investigation, the Department contacted the 
company and was informed that lace is a type of warp knit fabric and 
that lace production constitutes a small percentage of production 
(about five percent). The company also confirmed that the workers are 
not separately identifiable by product line. A new customer survey of 
lace product imports was not conducted because the initial survey of 
warp knit fabric was appropriate.

Conclusion

    After reconsideration, I affirm the original notice of negative 
determination of eligibility to apply for worker adjustment assistance 
for workers and former workers of Mohican Mills, Inc., Lincolnton, 
North Carolina.

    Signed at Washington, DC, this 7th day May, 2004.
Elliott S. Kushner,
Certifying Officer, Division of Trade Adjustment Assistance, 
Assistance.
[FR Doc. 04-11627 Filed 5-21-04; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4510-30-P