DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-55,740

AMERICAN SLATE & MARBLE OF HICKORY INCORPORATED
HICKORY, NORTH CAROLINA

Certifications Regarding Eligibility
To Apply For Worker Adjustment Assistance and
Alternative Trade Adjustment Assistance


In accordance with Section 223 of the Trade Act of 1974, as
amended (19 USC 2273), the Department of Labor herein presents the
results of an investigation regarding certification of eligibility
to apply for worker adjustment assistance as a secondarily affected
worker group.
In order to make an affirmative determination and issue a
certification of eligibility for secondary workers to apply for
Trade Adjustment Assistance, the group eligibility requirements of
paragraph (b) of Section 222 of the Trade Act, as amended, must be
met. It is determined in this case that the requirements of (b) of
Section 222, as amended, have been met.
The investigation was initiated on October 5, 2004 in response
to a petition filed by a company official on behalf of workers of
American Slate & Marble of Hickory Incorporated, Hickory, North
Carolina. The workers produce faux marble for the furniture
industry.
The investigation revealed that American Slate & Marble of
Hickory Incorporated, Hickory, North Carolina, supplied faux marble
used in the production of wood furniture, and at least 20 percent
of its production or sales are supplied to a manufacturer whose
workers were certified eligible to apply for adjustment assistance.
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 during this
investigation, I determine that all workers of American Slate &
Marble of Hickory Incorporated, Hickory, North Carolina are
adversely affected secondary workers under Section 222 of the Trade
Act of 1974, as amended. In accordance with the provisions of the
Act, I make the following certification:
"All workers of American Slate & Marble of Hickory
Incorporated, Hickory, North Carolina, who became totally or
partially separated from employment on or after September 28,
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 28th day of October 2004.

/s/ Linda G. Poole
________________________________
LINDA G. POOLE
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance