DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-53,982

BASSETT FURNITURE INDUSTRIES, INC.
UPHOLSTERY DIVISION - HIDDENITE
HIDDENITE, NORTH CAROLINA

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)(A) of
Section 222 have been met - the sales and/or production have
decreased absolutely at the workers facility or subdivision and an
increase in imports of articles like or directly competitive with
articles produced by the workers' facility or subdivision
contributed importantly to workers' separation or threat of
separation and to the decline in the sales or production of the
subject facility or subdivision.
The investigation was initiated on January 12, 2004 in
response to a petition filed by a company official on behalf of
workers at Bassett Furniture Industries, Inc., Upholstery Division
- Hiddenite, Hiddenite, North Carolina. Workers at the subject
facility produced upholstered household furniture.
The investigation revealed sales, production and employment
declined from 2002 to 2003.
Furthermore, the investigation revealed that division-wide
imports of upholstered household furniture have increased during
the relevant period.
Additionally, United States aggregate imports of upholstered
household furniture have increased during the relevant period.
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 facility are age 50 or
over and do not possess skills that are easily transferable.
Competitive conditions within the industry are adverse.
Conclusion
After careful review of the facts obtained in the
investigation, I determine that increases of imports of articles
like or directly competitive with upholstered household furniture
produced by Bassett Furniture Industries, Inc., Upholstery Division
- Hiddenite, Hiddenite, North Carolina contributed importantly to
the total or partial separation of workers and to the decline in
sales or production and at that facility or subdivision. In
accordance with the provisions of the Act, I make the following
certification:
"All workers of Bassett Furniture Industries, Inc., Upholstery
Division - Hiddenite, Hiddenite, North Carolina who became
totally or partially separated from employment on or after
January 8, 2003 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 11th day of February 2004.


/s/ Linda G. Poole

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