DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-58,570

SIERRA MANUFACTURING GROUP, LLC
INCLUDING ON-SITE LEASE WORKERS OF
SKILL SPAN STAFFING
POCOLA, OKLAHOMA

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 in response to a petition
received on January 4, 2006 and filed by a company official on
behalf of workers at Sierra Manufacturing Group, LLC, Pocola,
Oklahoma. The workers at the subject firm produced camping
furniture, such as cots, tables and chairs. The workers are not
separately identifiable product.
The investigation revealed that Sierra Manufacturing Group,
LLC, Pocola, Oklahoma leased on-site workers from Skill Span
Staffing to produce camping furniture.
The investigation revealed that plant production and
employment declined during the relevant period.
The Department of Labor conducted a survey of the subject
firm's major declining customer(s) regarding their purchases of
camping furniture, such as cots, tables and chair during 2005
over the corresponding 2004 period and in the period of January
2006 over the corresponding January 2005 period. The survey
revealed an increased customer reliance on imported camping
furniture, such as cots, tables and chairs 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 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 subject facility are
over age 50 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 camping furniture, such as
cots, tables and chair produced at Sierra Manufacturing Group,
LLC, Pocola, Oklahoma contributed importantly to the total or
partial separation of workers and to the decline in sales or
production and at that firm or subdivision. In accordance with
the provisions of the Act, I make the following certification:
"All workers of Sierra Manufacturing Group, LLC, including
on-site leased workers of Skill Span Staffing, Pocola,
Oklahoma, who became totally or partially separated from
employment on or after January 3, 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 6th day of February, 2006.

/s/Elliott S. Kushner
____________________________
ELLIOTT S. KUSHNER
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance