DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-59,395

ROWE FURNITURE INC.
POPLAR BLUFF, MISSOURI

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 May 15, 2006 in response to
a petition filed on behalf of workers of Rowe Furniture Inc.,
Poplar Bluff, Missouri. Workers at the subject firm produce
upholstered living room furniture.
The investigation revealed that employment and sales at the
subject firm declined during the period of January through April
2006 when compared to the same period in 2005.
The Department of Labor surveyed the subject firm's major
declining customers regarding their purchases of upholstered living
room furniture in 2004, 2005, and January through April 2006.
This survey revealed increased imports of upholstered living room
furniture during the relevant period.
In addition, 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 in the workers' 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 upholstered living room furniture
produced by Rowe Furniture Inc., Poplar Bluff, Missouri,
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 Rowe Furniture Inc., Poplar Bluff, Missouri,
who became totally or partially separated from employment on
or after April 27, 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 Rowe Furniture Inc.,
Poplar Bluff, Missouri, 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 12th day of July 2006

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