DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-63,873

CENTURY FURNITURE
HIGHLAND HOUSE DIVISION
A SUBSIDIARY OF CV INDUSTRIES
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 (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 14, 2008 in response
to a petition filed on behalf of workers at Century Furniture,
Highland House Division, a subsidiary of CV Industries, Hickory,
North Carolina. The workers at the subject firm produce upholstered
furniture.
The investigation revealed that employment and sales declined
at Century Furniture, Highland House Division, a subsidiary of CV
Industries, Hickory, North Carolina between 2006 and 2007, and
January through July 2008 over the corresponding 2007 period.
The Department of Labor surveyed the subject firm's major
declining customers regarding their purchases of upholstered
furniture during 2006 and 2007 and January through July 2008. The
survey revealed an increased reliance on imported upholstered
furniture during the period under investigation.
In addition, in accordance with Section 246 of 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 an increase in imports of articles
like or directly competitive with upholstered furniture that were
produced by Century Furniture, Highland House Division, a
subsidiary of CV Industries, 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 Century Furniture, Highland House Division, a
subsidiary of CV Industries, Hickory, North Carolina, who
became totally or partially separated from employment on or
after August 13, 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 5th day of September 2008


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