DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-57,717

HOOKER FURNITURE COMPANY
PLESANT GARDEN PLANT
PLEASANT GARDEN, 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, as
amended (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)(B) of
Section 222 have been met.
The investigation was initiated on August 11, 2005 in response
to a petition filed by a company official on behalf of workers of
Hooker Furniture Company, Pleasant Garden Plant, Pleasant Garden,
North Carolina. The workers of the subject facility produce
residential wood home-office furniture and wall units.
The investigation revealed that employment at the subject will
decline in September 2005.
Furthermore, the investigation revealed the preponderance of
declines in employment at the subject firm is related to a shift in
production to China and Honduras, and imports of residential wood
home-office furniture and wall units have increased.
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 there was a shift in production
from the workers' firm or subdivision to China and Honduras of
articles that are like or directly competitive with those produced
by the subject firm or subdivision, and there has been an increase
in imports of these articles. In accordance with the provisions of
the Act, I make the following certification:


"All workers of Hooker Furniture Company, Pleasant Garden
Plant, Pleasant Garden, North Carolina who became totally or
partially separated from employment on or after August 8, 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 2nd day of September 2005.

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