DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-59,212

VANGUARD FURNITURE COMPANY, INCORPORATED
INCLUDING ON-SITE LEASE WORKERS OF
ACCUFORCE
HICKORY, 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 in response to a petition
received on April 13, 2006 and filed on behalf of workers at
Vanguard Furniture Company, Incorporated, Hickory, North
Carolina. The workers at the subject firm produced upholstered
furniture. The workers are not separately identifiable by
product.
The investigation revealed that Vanguard Furniture Company,
Incorporated, Hickory, North Carolina leased on-site workers from
Accuforce to produce 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 customers regarding their purchases of
upholstered furniture during 2005 over the corresponding 2004
period and during the period of January through April 2006 over
the corresponding January through April 2005 period. The survey
revealed an increased customer reliance on imported upholstered
furniture 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 upholstered furniture produced
at Vanguard Furniture Company, Incorporated, Hickory, North
Carolina 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 Vanguard Furniture Company, Incorporated,
including on-site leased workers of Accuforce, Hickory,
North Carolina, who became totally or partially separated
from employment on or after April 12, 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 16th day of May, 2006.

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