Petitioner Type: Company
Impact Date: 01/10/2004
Filed Date: 01/12/2005
Most Recent Update: 01/25/2005
Determination Date: 01/25/2005
Expiration Date: 01/25/2007
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Employment and Training Administration
TA-W-56,324
SOUTHERN WOOD PRODUCTS
A DIVISION OF
BROWN JORDAN INTERNATIONAL
SPARTA, TENNESEE
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 January 12, 2005 and filed by a company official on
behalf of workers at Southern Wood Products, A Division of Brown
Jordan International, Spartan, Tennessee. The workers are
engaged employment related to the production of ready-to-assemble
furniture, primarily entertainment centers and juvenile
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 ready-to-assemble furniture
during the relevant period.
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 addition, 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 ready-to-assemble furniture
produced at Southern Wood Products, A Division of Brown Jordan
International, Spartan, Tennessee 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 Southern Wood Products, A Division of Brown
Jordan International, Spartan, Tennessee who became totally
or partially separated from employment on or after January
10, 2004 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 25th day of January, 2005.
/s/ Elliott S. Kushner
______________________________
ELLIOTT S. KUSHNER
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance