DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-55,783

PRECISION WOOD PRODUCTS
NORTH CAROLINA DIVISION
A DIVISION MJB WOOD GROUP
FLETCHER, NORTH CAROLINA

Certification Regarding Eligibility
To Apply for Worker Adjustment Assistance and
Negative Determination Regarding Eligibility to Apply for
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 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 in response to a
petition received on October 13, 2004 filed on behalf of
workers at Precision Wood Products, North Carolina
Division, a subsidiary of MJB Wood Group, Inc., Fletcher,
North Carolina. The workers produce particle board and
medium density fiberboard for office furniture.
The investigation revealed that Precision Wood
Products, North Carolina Division, a subsidiary of MJB Wood
Group, Inc., Fletcher, North Carolina supplies particle
board and medium density fiberboard, a component of office
furniture, and at least 20 percent of its production or
sales is supplied to a manufacturer whose workers were
certified eligible to apply for adjustment assistance.
Furthermore, the investigation revealed that there is
a threat to employment and will show absolute declines at
the subject firm in November, 2004.
In addition, 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.
The group eligibility criteria for the ATAA program
that the Department must consider under Section 246 of the
Trade Act are:
1. Whether a significant number of workers in the
workers' firm are 50 years of age or older.
2. Whether the workers in the workers' firm possess
skills that are not easily transferable.
3. The competitive conditions within the workers'
industry (i.e., conditions within the industry
are adverse).

The Department has determined that criterion (2) has
not been met.
The investigation revealed that the workers possess
skills that are easily transferable to other positions.
Conclusion
After careful review of the facts obtained in the
investigation, I determine that workers of Precision Wood
Products, North Carolina Division, a subsidiary of MJB Wood
Group, Inc., Fletcher, North Carolina qualify as 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 Precision Wood Products, North
Carolina Division, a subsidiary of MJB Wood Group,
Inc., Fletcher, North Carolina who became totally or
partially separated from employment on or after
October 12, 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
"I further determine that all workers of Precision
Wood Products, North Carolina Division, a subsidiary
of MJB Wood Group, Inc., Fletcher, North Carolina are
denied eligibility for Alternative Trade Adjustment
Assistance under Section 246 of the Trade Act of
1974."
Signed at Washington, D.C., this 22nd day of October 2004.

/s/ Linda G. Poole

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