DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-60,037

ETHAN ALLEN OPERATIONS, INC.
SPRUCE PINE, 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.
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 September 8, 2006 and filed by a company official on
behalf of workers of Ethan Allen Operations, Inc., Spruce Pine,
North Carolina. The workers at the subject firm produce case good
furniture.
The investigation revealed that production and employment
declined from fiscal year ending June 2006 over the corresponding
fiscal year ending June 2005 period.
The investigation also revealed that the company increased
their imports of case good furniture during period under
investigation.
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 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 increases of imports of articles
like or directly competitive with case good furniture produced by
Ethan Allen Operations, Inc., Spruce Pine, North Carolina,
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 Ethan Allen Operations, Inc., Spruce Pine, 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 in Washington, D.C., this 27th day of September 2006.

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