DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-52,747

SLIGH FURNITURE OPERATING COMPANY
D/B/A SLIGH FURNITURE
HOLLAND, MICHIGAN

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, 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)(B) of
Section 222 have been met.
The investigation was initiated on September 3, 2003 in
response to a petition filed by a company official on behalf of
workers of Sligh Furniture Operating Company d/b/a Sligh Furniture,
Holland, Michigan. The workers manufacture wooden furniture and
clock products.
The investigation revealed that employment and production at
the subject company have declined significantly during the relevant
period.
The investigation further revealed the subject firm is
shifting a substantial portion of production abroad and increasing
imports.
In accordance with Section 246 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 addition, 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 abroad 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 these articles. In accordance with the
provisions of the Act, I make the following certification:



"All workers of Sligh Furniture Operating Company d/b/a Sligh
Furniture, Holland, Michigan who became totally or partially
separated from employment on or after August 26, 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, 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 7th day of October 2003.

/s/ Richard Church
______________________________
RICHARD CHURCH
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance