DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-57,091

NORTHERN HARDWOODS
A DIVISION OF HARDWOOD LUMBER MANUFACTURING
DIMENSION PLANT
SOUTH RANGE, MICHIGAN

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 on May 3, 2005 in response
to a petition filed by a state agent representative on behalf of
workers at Northern Hardwoods, a Division of Hardwood Lumber
Manufacturing, Dimension Plant, South Range, Michigan. The
workers produce hardwood components for furniture and other wood
products.
The investigation revealed that production and employment
declined from January to April 2005 compared to the same period
in 2004.
The Department of Labor surveyed the subject firm's major
declining customers regarding their purchases of hardwood
components for furniture and other products during 2003, 2004
and January through April 2005. The survey revealed that
customers increased import purchases during the period under
investigation.
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.
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 the hardwood components for
furniture and other products produced by of Northern Hardwoods,
Dimension Plant, South Range, Michigan, contributed importantly
to the decline in sales or production and to the total or
partial separation of workers of that firm or subdivision. In
accordance with the provisions of the Act, I make the following
certification:
"All workers of Northern Hardwoods, Dimension Plant, South
Range, Michigan, who became totally or partially separated
from employment on or after May 2, 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 8th day of June 2005

/s/ Linda G. Poole

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