DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-55,282

HAWORTH JONESBORO SYSTEMS PRODUCTS
A SUBSIDIARY OF HAWORTH, INC
INCLUDING ON-SITE LEASED WORKERS FROM STAFFMARK
JONESBORO, ARKANSAS

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), 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 July 20, 2004, in response
to a petition filed by a state agency representative on behalf of
workers of Haworth Jonesboro System Products, a subsidiary of
Haworth, Inc., Jonesboro, Arkansas. The workers at the subject
firm produce office systems furniture and components.
The subject firm leases workers from StaffMark.
The investigation revealed that sales, production and
employment at the subject firmed decreased during January through
June of 2004 when compared to the same period of 2003.
The investigation further revealed that the subject firm did
not import office systems furniture, nor did it shift production of
systems furniture from the Jonesboro, Arkansas plant to another
country.
The Department of Labor surveyed the subject facility's major
declining customers regarding their purchases of office systems
furniture and components. This survey revealed increases in
imports of office systems furniture during the period under
investigation.
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 determine that increases of imports of articles
like or directly competitive with systems furniture produced at
Haworth Jonesboro System Products, a subsidiary of Haworth, Inc.,
Jonesboro, Arkansas contributed importantly to the total or partial
separation of workers and to the decline in sales or production and
at that firm or subdivision. In accordance with the provisions of
the Act, I make the following certification:
"All workers of Haworth Jonesboro System Products, a
subsidiary of Haworth, Inc., including on-site leased workers
from StaffMark, Jonesboro, Arkansas, who became totally or
partially separated from employment on or after July 16, 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 24th day of August, 2004.


/s/ Linda G. Poole

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