DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-55,010

ROCHELLE FURNITURE
MONTGOMERY, PENNSYLVANIA

Certification Regarding Eligibility
To Apply For Worker Adjustment Assistance and
Negative Determination Regarding Eligibility To Apply For
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 on June 2, 2004, in response
to a petition filed by a company official on behalf of workers of
Rochelle Furniture, Montgomery, Pennsylvania. The workers produce
wooden juvenile furniture.
The Department of Labor conducted a survey of customers of
the subject firm regarding their purchases of juvenile furniture
and covering the period January 2002 through May 2004. That
survey revealed that respondents increased their purchases of
imported juvenile furniture while reducing purchases from the
subject firm.
United States aggregate imports of wooden chairs increased
substantially in 2003 compared with 2002 and again in January
through March 2004.
In addition, 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.
The group eligibility criteria for the ATAA program

that the Department must consider under Section 246 of the

Trade Act are:
1. Whether a significant number of workers in the
workers' firm are 50 years of age or older.
2. Whether the workers in the workers' firm possess skills
that are not easily transferable.
3. The competitive conditions within the workers' industry
(i.e., conditions within the industry are adverse).
The Department has determined that criteria 2 and 3 have not
been met.
The investigation revealed that skills within this worker
group are easily transferable to other positions in the area.
Employment within the furniture manufacturing sector has not
declined in the relevant period.


Conclusion
After careful review of the facts obtained in the
investigation, I determine that increases of imports of articles
like or directly competitive with juvenile furniture produced at
Rochelle Furniture, Montgomery, Pennsylvania 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 Rochelle Furniture, Montgomery, Pennsylvania
who became totally or partially separated from employment on
or after June 1, 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."
I further determine that all workers of Rochelle Furniture,
Montgomery, Pennsylvania are denied eligibility to apply for
alternative trade adjustment assistance under Section 246 of
the Trade Act of 1974.
Signed in Washington, D. C. this 9th day of July, 2004.

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