DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-52,112

HOOKER FURNITURE CORPORATION
KERNERSVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA

Certification Regarding Eligibility
To Apply for Worker Adjustment Assistance

In accordance with Section 223 of the Trade Act of 1974, as
amended (19 USC 2273), 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 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)(A) of
Section 222 have been met.
The investigation was initiated in response to a petition
received on June 23, 2003, and filed by a company official on
behalf of workers at Hooker Furniture Corporation, Kernersville,
North Carolina. The workers produce wooden household furniture
(wall units, book cases, and entertainment centers).
The investigation revealed that sales, production and
employment declined at the subject facility during the relevant
period.
The Department of Labor conducted a survey of the subject
firm's major declining customers regarding their purchases of
wooden household furniture (wall units, book cases, and
entertainment centers) during 2001, 2002, and January through May
2003 over the corresponding 2002 period. The survey revealed
that major customers increased their purchases of imported wooden
household furniture, while decreasing their purchases from the
subject firm during the relevant time period.
Conclusion
After careful review of the facts obtained in the
investigation, I determine that increases of imports of articles
like or directly competitive with wooden household furniture
produced at Hooker Furniture Corporation, Kernersville, North
Carolina, contributed importantly to the total or partial
separation of workers and to the decline in sales or production and
at that firm or subdivision. In accordance with the provisions of
the Act, I make the following certification:
"All workers of Hooker Furniture Corporation, Kernersville,
North Carolina, who became totally or partially separated from
employment on or after June 20, 2002, 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 1st day of August 2003.


/s/ Elliott S. Kushner
______________________________
ELLIOTT S. KUSHNER
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance