DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-58,819

BENTWOOD FURNITURE INCORPORATED
GRANTS PASS, OREGON


Certification Regarding Eligibility
To Apply for Worker Adjustment Assistance and
Negative Determination Regarding Eligibility to Apply for
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 February 9, 2006,
in response to a petition filed by workers on behalf of
workers of Bentwood Furniture Incorporated, Grants Pass,
Oregon. The workers are engaged in the production of
household wood furniture.
The investigation revealed that sales and employment
declined from 2004, 2005 and January 2006.
The Department of Labor surveyed the subject firm's
major declining customers regarding their purchases of
household wood furniture in 2004 and 2005 and January to
February 2006. The surveys revealed that customers
increased import purchases during 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.
The group eligibility criteria for the ATAA program

that the Department must consider under Section 246 of the

Trade Act are:

1. Whether a significant number of workers in the
workers' firm are 50 years of age or older.

2. Whether the workers in the workers' firm possess
skills that are not easily transferable.

3. The competitive conditions within the workers'
industry (i.e., conditions within the industry
are adverse).

The Department has determined that criterion 2 has not
been met. The investigation revealed that workers at the
subject firm possess skills that are easily transferable.
Conclusion
After careful review of the facts obtained in the
investigation, I determine that increases of imports of
articles like or directly competitive with household wood
furniture produced by Bentwood Furniture Incorporated,
Grants Pass, Oregon, 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 Bentwood Furniture Incorporated,
including on-site leased workers of Hire Calling, Grants
Pass, Oregon, who became totally or partially separated
from employment on or after February 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 I further determine that all workers of Bentwood
Furniture Incorporated, including on-site leased workers of
Hire Calling, Grants Pass, Oregon, are denied eligibility
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 March, 2006.

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