DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-60,995

DISTINCTIVE DESIGNS FURNITURE USA
GRANITE FALLS DIVISION
INCLUDING ONSITE LEASED WORKERS OF EXPRESS PERSONAL
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, 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 on February 21, 2007, in
response to a petition filed by a company official on behalf of
workers of Distinctive Designs Furniture, USA, Granite Falls
Division, Granite Falls, North Carolina. The workers at the
subject firm were engaged in the production of upholstered
furniture.
The decline in employment at the subject firm is related to
a shift in plant production of upholstered furniture to a
country (Canada) that is party to a free trade agreement with
the United States.
The investigation revealed that Distinctive Designs
Furniture, USA, Granite Falls Division, Granite Falls, North
Carolina also leased workers from Express Personal.
Workers of Distinctive Designs Furniture, USA, Granite
Falls Division, Sewing Department, Granite Falls, North
Carolina, are certified eligible to apply for adjustment
assistance under petition number TA-W-59,563, which expires June
30, 2008.
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 conclude that there was a shift in production
from the workers' firm or subdivision to Canada of articles that
are like or directly competitive with upholstered furniture
produced by the subject firm or subdivision. In accordance with
the provisions of the Act, I make the following certification:
"Workers of Distinctive Designs Furniture, USA, Granite
Falls Division, including on-site leased workers of Express
Personal, Granite Falls, North Carolina, excluding those
workers covered by the petition certification issued for
workers of the Sewing Department of Distinctive Designs
Furniture, USA, Granite Falls Division, Granite Falls,
North Carolina (TA-W-59,563), who became totally or
partially separated from employment on or after February
19, 2006, 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 April, 2007


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