Petitioner Type: Company
Impact Date: 10/21/2004
Filed Date: 10/24/2005
Most Recent Update: 12/15/2005
Determination Date: 12/15/2005
Expiration Date: 12/15/2007
Employment and Training Administration
TA-W-58,188
STALEY FABRICATORS, INC.
d/b/a WRIGHT'S FURNITURE
STALEY, 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 24, 2005 in
response to a petition filed by a company official on behalf of
workers at Staley Fabricators, Inc., d/b/a Wright's Furniture,
Staley, North Carolina. The workers produce upholstered household
furniture.
The investigation revealed that sales, production and
employment at the Staley, North Carolina facility declined with its
shutdown in November of 2005.
The Department of Labor surveyed the subject firm's major
customers regarding their purchases of upholstery furniture in
2003, 2004 and January-September of 2005. The survey revealed that
in the relevant period, the respondents either increased their
imports absolutely while decreasing purchases from the subject
firm, or increased their reliance on imports while correspondingly
decreasing purchases from the subject firm.
United States aggregate imports of upholstered household
furniture increased in 2004 compared with 2003 and also increased
in January through September, 2005 compared with the same period in
2004.
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 upholstery furniture produced at
Staley Fabricators, Inc., d/b/a Wright's Furniture, Staley, 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 Staley Fabricators, Inc., d/b/a Wright's
Furniture, Staley, North Carolina who became totally or
partially separated from employment on or after October 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 15th day of December, 2005
/s/ Richard Church
______________________________
RICHARD CHURCH
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance