DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-57,435

BURNS WOOD PRODUCTS, INC.
INCLUDING LEASED WORKERS OF EMPLOYMENT STAFFING, INC.
MULBERRY GROUP, PEOPLE CONNECTION, ABLE BODY LABOR AND
ACCUFORCE STAFFING
GRANITE FALLS, 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 on June 22, 2005 in response
to a petition filed by a company official on behalf of workers of
Burns Wood Products, Inc., Granite Falls, North Carolina. The
workers produce curved plywood furniture components. The worker
group includes leased on-site workers of Employment Staffing, Inc.,
Mulberry Group, People Connection, Able Body Labor and Accuforce
Staffing.
The investigation revealed that employment, sales and
production at the subject firm declined in January through May of
2005 compared to the same period one year prior.
The Department of Labor surveyed the subject firm's primary
customer regarding their purchases of curved plywood furniture
components in January through June 2005 compared with the same
period one year earlier. The survey revealed that customer imports
have increased, and will continue to increase throughout the year,
replacing purchases from the subject firm.
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 curved plywood furniture
components produced at Burns Wood Products, Inc., Granite Falls,
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 Burns Wood Products, Inc., including leased
workers of Employment Staffing, Inc., Mulberry Group, People
Connection, Able Body Labor, and Accuforce Staffing, Granite
Falls, North Carolina who became totally or partially
separated from employment on or after June 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 27th day of July 2005

/s/ Richard Church
______________________________
RICHARD CHURCH
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance