DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-63,319

HOOD INDUSTRIES INCORPORATED
A SUBSIDIARY OF HOOD COMPANIES INCORPORATED
COUSHATTA, LOUISIANA

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 May 6, 2008 in response
to a petition filed by a state representative on behalf of the
workers of Hood Industries Incorporated, a subsidiary of Hood
Companies Incorporated, Coushatta, Louisiana. The workers
produce lumber particularly southern yellow pine.
The investigation revealed that employment and sales at the
subject firm declined in January through March 2008 when
compared to the same period of 2007.
The Department of Labor surveyed the subject firm's major
declining customers regarding purchases of products like or
directly competitive with southern yellow pine lumber in 2006,
2007, and January through March 2008. The survey revealed
increased import purchases in January through March 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 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 lumber produced by Hood
Industries Incorporated, a subsidiary of Hood Companies
Incorporated, Coushatta, Louisiana, 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 Hood Industries Incorporated, a subsidiary
of Hood Companies Incorporated, Coushatta, Louisiana, who
became totally or partially separated from employment on or
after May 5, 2007 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 12th day of June 2008.

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