DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-60,084

HEKMAN FURNITURE COMPANY
A SUBSIDIARY OF HOWARD MILLER CLOCK COMPANY
GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN

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 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 September 14, 2006 in
response to a petition filed by a company official on behalf of
workers of Hekman Furniture Company, A subsidiary of Howard Miller
Clock Company, Grand Rapids, Michigan. The workers produce
residential wood furniture.
The investigation revealed that in January through August 2006
as compared with January through August 2005, the subject firm
increased import purchases of residential wood furniture while
experiencing a reduction in sales and production.
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 increases of imports of articles
like or directly competitive with residential wood furniture
produced by Hekman Furniture Company, A subsidiary of Howard Miller
Clock Company, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 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 Hekman Furniture Company, A subsidiary of
Howard Miller Clock Company, Grand Rapids, Michigan, who
became totally or partially separated from employment on or
after September 13, 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 3rd day of October 2006



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