DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-59,048

NATIONAL BEDDING COMPANY
A DIVISION OF SERTA MATTRESS
LINDEN, NEW JERSEY

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 on March 16, 2006 in response
to a petition filed on behalf of National Bedding Company, a
division of Serta Mattress, Linden, New Jersey. The workers
produced box springs and mattresses.
Sales, production, and employment at the subject firm
decreased absolutely upon its shutdown on April 2005.
The United States Department of Labor surveyed the subject
firm's major customers regarding their purchases of box springs and
mattresses in 2003, 2004, and January through June 2005. The
survey revealed purchases from abroad increased while purchases
from the subject firm declined during the period under
investigation.
Aggregate United States imports of mattresses and mattress
supports increased from 2003 to 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 those produced by National
Bedding Company, a division of Serta Mattress, Linden, New Jersey,
contributed 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 National Bedding Company, a division of Serta
Mattress, Linden, New Jersey, who became totally or partially
separated from employment on or after March 1, 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 10th day of April, 2006

/s/Richard Church
______________________________
RICHARD CHURCH
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance