DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-55,471

SCHWEIGER FURNITURE
A DIVISION OF KCS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
JEFFERSON, WISCONSIN

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 on August 18, 2004 in response
to a petition filed on behalf of workers Schweiger Furniture, a
division of KCS International, Inc., Jefferson, Wisconsin. The
workers at the subject facility produce upholstered living room
furniture.
The investigation revealed that sales and employment decreased
on closure of the subject facility in May 2004.
United States aggregate imports of upholstered household
furniture increased in 2003 compared with 2002 and also increased
in January through June 2004 compared with the same period in 2003.
The Department of Labor surveyed the subject firm's major
customers regarding their purchases of upholstered living room
furniture during 2002, 2003, and January through July 2004. The
survey revealed increases in imports during the above periods.
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 upholstered living room furniture
produced at Schweiger Furniture, a division of KCS International,
Inc., Jefferson, Wisconsin 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 Schweiger Furniture, a division of KCS
International, Inc., Jefferson, Wisconsin who became totally
or partially separated from employment on or after August 18,
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 23rd day of September 2004.

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