DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-63,834

HICKORY HILL FURNITURE CORP.
A SUBSIDIARY OF NORWALK FURNITURE CORP.
INCLUDING ON-SITE LEASED WORKERS FROM KELLY SERVICES
FULTON, MISSISSIPPI

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 August 7, 2008 in response
to a petition filed by a company official on behalf of workers of
Hickory Hill Furniture Corp., a subsidiary of Norwalk Furniture
Corp., Fulton, Mississippi. Workers at the subject firm produced
upholstered furniture (sofas, loveseats, chairs); workers were not
separately identifiable by specific product line.
The subject firm also utilized leased/contract workers from
Kelly Services.
Employment and production at the subject facility declined
with the cessation of operations in September 2008.
The Department of Labor surveyed the subject firm's major
declining customers regarding purchases of upholstered furniture
(sofas, loveseats, chairs) for 2006, 2007, January through July
2007, and January through July 2008. The survey revealed increased
import purchases during the period under investigation.
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 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 (sofas,
loveseats, chairs) produced at Hickory Hill Furniture Corp., a
subsidiary of Norwalk Furniture Corp., Fulton, Mississippi,
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 Hickory Hill Furniture Corp., a subsidiary of
Norwalk Furniture Corp., Fulton, Mississippi, including on-
site leased workers from Kelly Services who became totally or
partially separated from employment on or after July 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 18th day of September 2008


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