DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Employment and Training Administration
TA-W-58,178

BASSETT FURNITURE INDUSTRIES, INC.
INCLUDING ON-SITE LEASED WORKERS OF
WORKFORCE CAROLINA AND ABLEST STAFFING
MT. AIRY, 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), 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 October 20, 2005 in
response to a petition filed by a company official on behalf of
workers at Bassett Furniture Industries, Inc., Mt. Airy, North
Carolina. The workers at the subject firm produce wood
household furniture.

The subject firm also leased workers from Workforce
Carolina and Ablest Staffing.
The investigation revealed that sales and production at the
subject firm decreased during January through September 2005
when compared to the same period in 2004.
Employment declined absolutely when the subject firm closed
on November 28, 2005.
The investigation further revealed that company imports of
wood household furniture increased during the period of the
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 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 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 wood household furniture
produced at Bassett Furniture Industries, Inc., Mt. Airy, 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 Bassett Furniture Industries, Inc., Mt. Airy,
North Carolina including on-site leased workers of Workforce
Carolina and Ablest Staffing who became totally or partially
separated from employment on or after October 20, 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 30th day of November 2005.
/s/ Linda G. Poole
______________________________
LINDA G. POOLE
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance