DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-57,925

SLIGH FURNITURE OPERATING COMPANY
D/B/A SLIGH FURNITURE COMPANY
A SUBSIDIARY OF SLIGH HOLDING COMPANY
HOLLAND, 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), 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 September 12, 2005, in
response to a petition filed by a company official on behalf of
workers of Sligh Furniture Operating Company, d/b/a Sligh
Furniture Company, a subsidiary of Sligh Holding Company,
Holland, Michigan. The workers produce furniture and clock
products for residential use.
The investigation also revealed that sales, production and
employment at the subject firm declined from 2003 to 2004 and
January through August 2005 over the corresponding 2004 period.
Furthermore, the investigation revealed that the company
increased imports of furniture and clock products from 2003 to
2004 and January through August 2005 over the corresponding 2004
period.
Workers of the subject firm were certified eligible to
apply for adjustment assistance under petition number TA-W-
52,747, which expired October 7, 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.
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 workers at the firm are age 50 or over
and do not possess skills that are 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 furniture and clock products
produced by Sligh Furniture Operating Company, d/b/a Sligh
Furniture Company, a subsidiary of Sligh Holding Company,
Holland, Michigan, 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:
"Workers of Sligh Furniture Operating Company, d/b/a Sligh
Furniture Company, a subsidiary of Sligh Holding Company,
Holland, Michigan, who became totally or partially
separated from employment on or after October 8, 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 4th day of October, 2005

/s/ Linda G. Poole
______________________________
LINDA G. POOLE
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance