DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-55,146

HEKMAN FURNITURE COMPANY
A DIVISION OF HOWARD MILLER CLOCK COMPANY
LEXINGTON, 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 in response to a petition
initiated on June 25, 2004 and filed on behalf of workers at
Hekman Furniture Company, a division of Howard Miller Clock
Company, Lexington, North Carolina. The workers produced
residential case good furniture.
The investigation revealed that sales, production and
employment declined at the subject firm from January through
June 2003 compared to the same period in 2004.
The investigation also revealed that imports of residential
case good furniture by the subject firm increased during the
relevant time period.
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.
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 conclude that increases of imports of articles
like or directly competitive with residential case good
furniture produced by Hekman Furniture Company, Lexington, North
Carolina, contributed importantly to the total or partial
separation of workers and to the decline in sales or production
at that firm. In accordance with the provisions of the Act, I
make the following certification:
"All workers of Hekman Furniture Company, a division of
Howard Miller Clock Company, Lexington, North Carolina, who
became totally or partially separated from employment, on
or after June 10, 2003 through two years from the date of
certification are eligible to apply for adjustment assis-
tance 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 July 2004.

/s/ Linda G. Poole

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