DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-58,147

VALLEY WOODWORKING COMPANY
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 on October 17, 2005, in
response to a petition filed by a company official on behalf of
workers of Valley Woodworking Company, Lenoir, North Carolina. The
workers produced exposed wood parts for furniture.
The investigation also revealed that sales and employment
declined during the period under investigation.
The Department of Labor surveyed the subject firms' major
declining customers regarding their purchases of exposed wood parts
for furniture during 2003, 2004 and January through September 2005
over the corresponding 2004 period. The survey revealed that
customers increased their reliance on imported exposed wood parts
during the relevant period.
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 conclude that increases of imports of exposed wood
parts produced by Valley Woodworking Company, Lenoir, 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 at Valley Woodworking Company, Lenoir, North
Carolina, who became totally or partially separated from
employment on or after October 17, 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 26th day of October, 2005.

/s/ Elliott S. Kushner

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