DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-61,250

THOMASVILLE FURNITURE INDUSTRIES
UPHOLSTERY PLANT #8
HICKORY, 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)(A) of Section 222 have been met.
The investigation was initiated on April 5, 2007, in
response to a petition filed on behalf of workers of Thomasville
Furniture Industries, Upholstery Plant #8, Hickory, North
Carolina. The workers are engaged in the cutting and sewing of
fabric for upholstered furniture.
The investigation determined that production and employment
at the subject firm declined from 2005 to 2006, and from January
through March 2007 when compared to the corresponding 2006
period.
The investigation also revealed that company imports of
upholstered furniture increased during the relevant period.
Production (i.e. cutting and sewing of fabric) at the subject
firm is vertically integrated with the firm's production of
upholstered furniture.
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 increases of imports of articles
like or directly competitive with upholstered furniture produced
by Thomasville Furniture Industries, Upholstery Plant #8,
Hickory, 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 of Thomasville Furniture Industries,
Upholstery Plant #8, Hickory, North Carolina, who became
totally or partially separated from employment on or after
April 4, 2006, through two years from the date of
certification, are eligible to apply for adjustment assis-
tance 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 2nd day of May, 2007.



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