DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-60,021

ELITE CUSHIONS INC.
DUDLEY SHOALS DIVISION
GRANITE FALLS, 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 an investigation regarding certification of
eligibility to apply for worker adjustment assistance as a
secondarily affected worker group.
The investigation was initiated on September 7, 2006 in
response to a petition filed by a company official on behalf of
workers at Elite Cushions Inc., Dudley Shoals Division, Granite
Falls, North Carolina. The workers of the subject firm produced
un-upholstered cushions.
The investigation revealed that the subject firm is a
supplier of component parts for furniture and a loss of business
with a manufacturer of furniture whose workers were certified
eligible to apply for adjustment assistance contributed
importantly to the separation or threat of separation of workers
at Elite Cushions Inc., Dudley Shoals Division, Granite Falls,
North Carolina.
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.
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 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 workers of Elite Cushions Inc.,
Dudley Shoals Division, Granite Falls, North Carolina qualify as
adversely affected secondary workers under Section 222 of the
Trade Act of 1974, as amended. In accordance with the provisions
of the Act, I make the following certification:

"All workers of Elite Cushions Inc., Dudley Shoals
Division, Granite Falls, North Carolina, who became totally
or partially separated from employment on or after
September 7, 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 at Washington, D.C., this 12th day of October, 2006


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