DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-59,692

HOOKER FURNITURE CORPORATION
ROANOKE, VIRGINIA

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, as
amended (19 USC 2273), the Department of Labor herein presents the
results of an 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)(B) of
Section 222 have been met.
The investigation was initiated in response to a petition
received on July 12, 2006, and filed by a company official on
behalf of workers at Hooker Furniture Corporation, Roanoke,
Virginia. The workers produced wooden household and office
furniture.
The investigation revealed that the declines in employment at
the subject firm are related to the subject firm shifting its
production of wooden household and office furniture to China and
subsequently importing those products into the United States. The
investigation also revealed a shift in production to Honduras and
Mexico 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 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 there was a shift in production
from the workers' firm or subdivision to China, Honduras, and
Mexico of articles that are like or directly competitive with those
produced by the subject firm or subdivision, and there has been 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 Hooker Furniture Corporation, Roanoke,
Virginia,, who became totally or partially separated from
employment on or after July 10, 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 21st day of July 2006.


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