DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-54,180

MICHELS SOUTH CAROLINA
DBA PILLIOD FURNITURE
NICHOLS, SOUTH 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 February 6, 2004, in
response to a petition filed on behalf of workers at Michels South
Carolina, dba Pilliod Furniture, Nichols, South Carolina. The
workers at the subject firm produce casegood bedroom furniture.
The investigation revealed that sales at the subject firm
declined from 2002 to 2003.
The Department of Labor surveyed the subject firm's major
customers regarding their purchases of casegood bedroom furniture
during 2002 and 2003. The survey revealed that customers increased
their import purchases of casegood bedroom furniture, while
decreasing their purchases from the subject firm during the period
under investigation.
Conclusion
After careful review of the facts obtained in the
investigation, I determine that increases of imports of articles
like or directly competitive with casegood bedroom furniture
produced at the subject firm contributed importantly to the total
or partial separation of workers and to the decline in sales or
production at that firm or subdivision. In accordance with the
provisions of the Act, I make the following certification:
"All workers of Michels South Carolina, dba Pilliod Furniture,
Nichols, South Carolina who became totally or partially
separated from employment on or after February 2, 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."
Signed in Washington, D. C. this 4th day of March, 2004.


/s/ Ellott S. Kushner

______________________________
ELLIOTT S. KUSHNER
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance