DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-55,758

HOOKER FURNITURE CORPORATION
PLYWOOD PLANT
MARTINSVILLE, VIRGINIA

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 in response to a petition
received on October 8, 2004 and filed by a company official on
behalf of workers at Hooker Furniture Corporation, Plywood Plant,
Martinsville, Virginia. The workers are engaged employment
related to the production of home furniture.
The investigation revealed that plant production and
employment declined during the relevant period.


The investigation further revealed that the company
increased their reliance on imported home furniture during the
relevant period.
The subject facility was under an exiting certification (TA-
W-40,083) which expired on December 27, 2003.
In accordance with Section 246 of 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 home furniture units produced
at Hooker Furniture Corporation, Plywood Plant, Martinsville,
Virginia 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, Plywood Plant,
Martinsville, Virginia who became totally or partially
separated from employment on or after December 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 27th day of October, 2004.


/s/ Elliott S. Kushner
______________________________
ELLIOTT S. KUSHNER
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance