DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-56,813

BERNHARD FURNITURE COMPANY
PLANT 1B
LENOIR, NORTH CAROLINA

TA-W-56,813A

BERNHARD FURNITURE COMPANY
CORPORATE OFFICE AND CENTRAL SUPPORT
SERVICES FOR PLANT #2
LENOIR, 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), 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 March 24, 2005 and filed by a company official on
behalf of workers at Bernhard Furniture Company, Plant 1B,
Lenoir, North Carolina (TA-W-56,813) and Bernard Furniture
Company, Corporate Office and Production Support Services,
Lenoir, North Carolina (TA-W-56,813A). The workers are engaged
in employment related to the production of dining room chairs and
support services, respectively.
The investigation revealed that company sales and employment
declined during the relevant period.
The investigation further revealed that the company
increased their reliance on imported dining room chairs 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 dining room chairs produced at
Bernhard Furniture Company, Plant 1B, Lenoir, North Carolina (TA-
W-56,813) and Bernard Furniture Company, Corporate Office and
Production Support Services, Lenoir, North Carolina (TA-W-
56,813A) 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 Bernhard Furniture Company, Plant 1B,
Lenoir, North Carolina (TA-W-56,813) and Bernard Furniture
Company, Corporate Office and Production Support Services,
Lenoir, North Carolina (TA-W-56,813A) who became totally or
partially separated from employment on or after March 21,
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 14th day of April, 2005.

/s/ Elliott S. Kushner

______________________________
ELLIOTT S. KUSHNER
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance