DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-55,315

MANPOWER
WORKERS AT DREXEL HERITAGE FURNITURE INDUSTRIES
PLANT 2
MARION, 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)(B) of
Section 222 have been met.
The investigation was initiated on July 26, 2004 in response
to a petition filed on behalf of workers at Manpower, workers at
Drexel Heritage Furniture Industries, Plant 2, Marion, North
Carolina. The workers of the petitioning group provide contract
labor in the form of furniture finishing operations. These
operations involve assembly, sanding and packaging of furniture.
The investigation revealed that workers of Manpower, Marion,
North Carolina, were contracted to Drexel Heritage Furniture
Industries, Plant 2, Marion, North Carolina, from 2001-2004.
The investigation revealed that employment of the Manpower
workers declined as the result of Drexel Heritage Furniture
Industries shifting production to China. It is likely that imports
of furniture will increase.
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 the case of Manpower, workers at Drexel Heritage
Furniture Industries, Plant 2, Marion, North Carolina that the
requirements of Section 246 have been met.
A significant number of workers at the division 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 a likely increase in imports,
following a shift in production of articles like or directly
competitive with furniture produced by Drexel Heritage Furniture
Industries, Plant 2, Marion, North Carolina, 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:
"Workers employed by Manpower, Marion, North Carolina, working
at Drexel Heritage Furniture Industries, Plant 2, Marion,
North Carolina, who became totally or partially separated from
employment on or after July 14, 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 26th day of August 2004.

/s/ Linda G. Poole

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