DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-63,900

BERNE FURNITURE COMPANY
BERNE, INDIANA

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 19, 2008 in response
to a petition filed on behalf of workers of Berne Furniture
Company, Berne, Indiana. Workers at the subject firm produced
wooden and upholstered furniture.
Employment and production at the subject firm declined with
the cessation of operations in May 2008.
The Department of Labor surveyed the subject firm's major
declining customers regarding purchases of wooden and/or
upholstered furniture and like or directly competitive articles for
2006, 2007, January through July 2007, and January through July
2008. The survey revealed increased imports of wooden and/or
upholstered furniture and like or directly competitive articles.
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 wooden and upholstered furniture
produced at Berne Furniture Company, Berne, Indiana, 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 Berne Furniture Company, Berne, Indiana who
became totally or partially separated from employment on or
after August 15, 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 22nd day of October 2008

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