DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-53,183

GROUP SEVEN SYSTEMS, INC.
LENOIR, NORTH CAROLINA

Certification Regarding Eligibility to Apply for
Alternative Trade Adjustment Assistance

The Department adopted a new interpretation regarding the
Alternative Trade Adjustment Assistance (ATAA) program in order to
provide equitable access to ATAA for worker groups whose petitions
were still in process at the time of implementation of the ATAA
program on August 6, 2003. Under this new interpretation, worker
groups covered by the certification of a petition that was in
process on August 6, 2003 may request ATAA consideration for the
certified worker group. In addition, certified worker groups who
filed petitions after that date may also request ATAA if the
petition did not include an option to apply for ATAA. The request
must be made to the Department and may be made by anyone who was
entitled to file the original petition under section 221(a)(1) of
the Act.
By letter dated December 13, 2004, a company official,
requested ATAA consideration for workers at the subject firm
located in Lenoir, North Carolina.
In order for the Department to issue a certification of
eligibility to apply for ATAA, the group eligibility requirements
of Section 246(a)(3)(A) of the Trade Act must be met. The
Department has determined in this case that the requirements have
been met.
The investigation revealed that the subject worker group
possesses skills that are not easily transferable in the local
area, and that at least five percent of the workforce at the
subject firm is at least fifty years of age. Industry data show
that competitive conditions within the furniture machinery industry
are adverse.
Conclusion
After careful review of the facts obtained on investigation, I
conclude that the requirements of Section 246(a)(3)(A) of the Trade
Act of 1974, as amended, have been met for workers at the subject
firm.
In accordance with the provisions of the Act, I make the
following certification:
"All workers of Arvesta Group Seven Systems, Inc., Lenoir,
North Carolina who became totally or partially separated from
employment on or after October 3, 2002 through November 19,
2005 are eligible to apply for alternative trade adjustment
assistance under Section 246 of the Trade Act of 1974, as
amended.”
Signed in Washington, D.C., this 13th day of January 2005

/s/ Linda G. Poole

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


DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-53,183

GROUP SEVEN SYSTEMS, INC.
LENOIR, 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), 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)(A) of
Section 222 have been met.
The investigation was initiated on October 8, 2003, in
response to a petition filed by a company official on behalf of
workers of Group Seven Systems, Inc., Lenoir, North Carolina. The
workers at the subject facility produced rough mill material
handling systems.
The investigation revealed that sales, production and
employment at the subject facility declined absolutely from 2001 to
2002. During the period of January through September 2003, sales
and production also declined when compared to the same period in
2002. The subject facility closed on October 1, 2003.
The Department of Labor surveyed the entity to which the
subject facility submitted a bid to produce mill material handlings
systems. The survey revealed that during the relevant time period
this contract was awarded to a foreign firm and imports have
commenced.
Conclusion
After careful review of the facts obtained in the
investigation, I determine that increases of imports of articles
like or directly competitive with rough mill material handling
systems produced at Group Seven Systems, Inc., Lenoir, 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 Group Seven Systems, Inc., Lenoir, North
Carolina who became totally or partially separated from
employment on or after October 3, 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 19th day of November 2003.
/s/ Linda G. Poole

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

May want to list the specific citation to the group eligibility requirements.
May want to list the specific citation to the group eligibility requirements.