DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-56,807

LEXINGTON HOME BRANDS
PLANTS 2, 4 & 5
LEXINGTON, 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 March 23, 2005 in response to
a petition filed by a company official on behalf of workers of
Lexington Home Brands, Plants 2, 4 & 5, Lexington, North Carolina.
The workers at the subject firm produced household furniture. The
workers are not separately identifiable by product line.
The investigation revealed that production and employment
declined at the subject firm from 2003 to 2004 and also from
January through March 2005 compared to the corresponding 2004
period.
The investigation also revealed that the company increased
their reliance on imported household furniture during the relevant
period.
Lexington Home Brands, Plants 2, 4 & 5, Lexington, North
Carolina were previously certified (TA-W-51,395) for trade
adjustment assistance. That certification expired on April 24,
2005.
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.
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 household furniture produced by
Lexington Home Brands, Plants 2, 4 & 5, Lexington, 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 Lexington Home Brands, Plants 2, 4 & 5,
Lexington, North Carolina, who became totally or partially
separated from employment on or after April 25, 2005, 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 April 2005.

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