DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-55,545

HOOKER FURNITURE CORPORATION
MAIDEN, 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), 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 September 2, 2004 in response
to a petition filed by a company official on behalf of workers of
Hooker Furniture Corporation, Maiden, North Carolina. The workers
at the subject firm produce wooden home office furniture and are
not separately identifiable by product line.
The investigation revealed that employment and production
declined at the subject firm during January through August 2004
when compared to the same period of 2003.
The investigation also revealed that the subject firm
increased its' imports of wooden home office furniture during 2003
and in January through August of 2004 when compared with the same
period in 2003.
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 do not 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 wooden home office furniture
produced by Hooker Furniture Corporation, Maiden, North Carolina,
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 Hooker Furniture Corporation, Maiden, North
Carolina, who became totally or partially separated from
employment on or after August 26, 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 15th day of September 2004.
/s/ Linda G. Poole
______________________________
LINDA G. POOLE
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance