DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-59,277
THOMASVILLE FURNITURE INDUSTRIES, INC.
PLANT A
THOMASVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA

TA-W-59,277A
THOMASVILLE FURNITURE INDUSTRIES, INC.
UPHOLSTERY PLANT 9
HICKORY, NORTH CAROLINA

TA-W-59,277B
THOMASVILLE FURNITURE INDUSTRIES, INC.
UPHOLSTRY PLANT 3
TROUTMAN, NORTH CAROLINA

TA-W-59,277C
THOMASVILLE FURNITURE INDUSTRIES, INC.
PLANT D
THOMASVILLE, 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), 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.
The investigation was initiated on April 25, 2006, in response
to a petition filed by a company official on behalf of workers
engaged in the production of residential furniture at four
Thomasville Furniture Industries Inc. plants in North Carolina.
Workers at Plant A in Thomasville, North Carolina produce bedroom
furniture (TA-W-59,277); workers at Upholstery Plant 9 in Hickory,
North Carolina produce upholstered furniture (TA-W-59,277A);
workers at Thomasville Upholstery Plant 3 in Troutman, North
Carolina produce upholstered furniture (TA-W-59,277B); and workers
at Plant D in Thomasville, North Carolina produce casegoods and
furniture (TA-W-59,277C). The workers are separately identifiable
by plant location.
It is determined that the requirements of (a)(2)(B) of Section
222 have been met for workers of Thomasville Furniture Industries
Inc., Plant A, Thomasville, North Carolina (TA-W-59,277), and
workers of Thomasville Furniture Industries Inc., Plant D,
Thomasville, North Carolina (TA-W-59,277C).
Workers at Thomasville Furniture Plant A (TA-W-59,277) and
Thomasville Furniture Plant D (TA-W-59,277C) were previously
certified eligible to apply for adjustment assistance under
petition numbers TA-W-53,515 and TA-W-53,515C, respectively. Those
certifications expired on January 13, 2006.
The investigation revealed that the declines in employment at
Thomasville Furniture Industries Inc., Plant A (TA-W-59,277) and
Plant D (TA-W-59,277C), Thomasville, North Carolina, are related to
a shift in the production of furniture and casegoods to China.
Furthermore, it is likely that imports of like or directly
competitive articles will increase.
It is determined that the requirements of (a)(2)(A) of Section
222 have been met for workers of Thomasville Furniture Industries
Inc., Upholstery Plant 9, Hickory, North Carolina (TA-W-59,277A)
and Upholstery Plant 3, Troutman, North Carolina (TA-W-59,277B).
The investigation revealed that in January through April 2006
when compared to the same period of 2005, there were declines in
employment and production and or shipments of upholstered furniture
by Thomasville Furniture Industries, Inc., Upholstery Plant 9,
Hickory, North Carolina (TA-W-59,277A) and Upholstery Plant 3,
Troutman, North Carolina (TA-W-59,277B).
The company increased imports of upholstered furniture in 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 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 these cases that the requirements are met.
A significant number of workers 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 there was a shift in production
from the workers' firm or subdivision of furniture and casegoods
produced by the subject firm or subdivision, and there has been or
is likely to be an increase in imports of like or directly
competitive articles. In accordance with the provisions of the Act,
I make the following certification:
"All workers of Thomasville Industries, Inc., Plant A,
Thomasville, North Carolina (TA-W-59,277), and Thomasville
Furniture Industries, Plant D, Thomasville, North Carolina
(TA-W-59,277C), who became totally or partially separated from
employment on or after January 14, 2006, 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." AND
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 by
Thomasville Furniture Industries, Inc., 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 Thomasville Furniture Industries Inc.,
Upholstery Plant 9, Hickory, North Carolina (TA-W-59,277A),
and Thomasville Industries, Inc., Upholstery Plant 3,
Troutman, North Carolina (TA-W-59,277B), who became totally
or partially separated from employment on or after April 24,
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 26th day of May 2006.

/s/ Linda G. Poole

______________________________
LINDA G. POOLE
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance