Petitioner Type: Company
Impact Date: 12/06/2005
Filed Date: 12/07/2006
Most Recent Update: 03/20/2007
Determination Date: 03/20/2007
Expiration Date: 03/20/2009
Employment and Training Administration
TA-W-60,550
V.H. FURNITURE
ALSO KNOWN AS VIRGINIA HOUSE
A SUBSIDIARY OF VAUGHAN BASSETT FURNITURE CO. INC.
INCLUDING ON-SITE LEASED WORKERS OF ATWORK AND MANPOWER INC.
ATKINS, 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 (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 December 7, 2006 in
response to a petition filed by a company official on behalf of
workers of V.H. Furniture, also known as Virginia House, a
subsidiary of Vaughan Bassett Furniture Co. Inc., Atkins, Virginia.
The workers produce wooden furniture components.
The investigation revealed that the components produced by the
subject firm in Atkins, Virginia are vertically integrated in the
firm's production of bedroom furniture in Galax, Virginia and
Elkin, North Carolina.
The subject worker group includes on-site leased workers from
Atwork and Manpower Inc.
The investigation revealed that employment at the subject
facility and corporate sales of bedroom furniture declined from
2004 to 2005 and in January through November 2006 over the
corresponding 2005 period.
The Department of Labor surveyed the subject firm's primary
declining customers regarding purchases of wooden furniture in
2004, 2005, and January through November 2006. The survey revealed
that the respondents became increasingly reliant on imports 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 increases of imports of articles
like or directly competitive with wooden furniture produced at
Vaughan Bassett Furniture Co. Inc., 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 V.H. Furniture, also known as Virginia House,
a subsidiary of Vaughan Bassett Furniture Co. Inc., including
on-site leased workers of Atwork Inc. and Manpower Inc.,
Atkins, Virginia, who became totally or partially separated
from employment on or after December 6, 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 20th day of March 2007
/s/ Linda G. Poole
______________________________
LINDA G. POOLE
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance