DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-54,539

CONNOR CARVING & TURNING CO., INC.
THOMASVILLE, 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 investigation was initiated March 18, 2004 in response to
a petition filed by a company official on behalf of workers at
Connor Carving & Turning Co., Inc., Thomasville, North Carolina.
The workers produced wood carvings, turnings and component parts
for the furniture industry.
The investigation revealed that sales, production and
employment at the subject firm declined as the plant shut down in
January of 2004.
The value of United States imports of wooden furniture parts
increased in 2003 compared with 2002 and continued to increase in
early 2004.
A Department of Labor survey of customers of the subject firm
regarding their purchases of wood component parts for furniture
revealed increasing imports in the above periods.
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 increased imports of parts of
furniture of wood and the like produced at Connor Carving & Turning
Co., Inc., Thomasville, North Carolina 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 Connor Carving & Turning Co., Inc.,
Thomasville, North Carolina, who became totally or partially
separated from employment on or after March 17, 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 7th day of April, 2004.

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