DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-62,762

PEMBROOK CHAIR CORP
CLAREMONT, 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), 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 January 29, 2008 in
response to a petition filed on behalf of workers of Pembrook
Chair Corp, Claremont, North Carolina. The workers produced
upholstered household furniture.
The investigation revealed that sales, production, and
employment declined absolutely upon the facility's closure in
January of 2008.
The Department of Labor surveyed the subject facility's
customers regarding purchases of upholstered household furniture
in 2005, 2006, and 2007. The survey revealed increasing customer
imports during the relevant period.
United States aggregate imports of upholstered household
furniture increased from 2006 to 2007.
In addition, 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 upholstered household
furniture produced at Pembrook Chair Corp, Claremont, 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 Pembrook Chair Corp, Claremont, North
Carolina who became totally or partially separated from
employment on or after January 25, 2007 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 2nd day of May 2008


/s/Richard Church
_____________________________
RICHARD CHURCH
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance