DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-63,984

NORWALK FURNITURE CORP.
LIVINGSTON DIVISION
LIVINGSTON, TENNESSEE

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 September 4, 2008 in
response to a petition filed by a company official on behalf of
workers of Norwalk Furniture Corp., Livingston Division,
Livingston, Tennessee. Workers at the subject firm produced
upholstered furniture.
Employment and production at the subject firm declined with
the cessation of operations on September 3, 2008.
The Department of Labor surveyed the subject firm's major
declining customers regarding purchases of products like of
directly competitive with upholstered furniture for 2006, 2007,
January through July 2008, and January through July 2008. The
survey revealed increased reliance on imports of products like or
directly competitive with upholstered furniture.
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 Norwalk
Furniture Corp., Livingston Division, Livingston, Tennessee,
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 Norwalk Furniture Corp., Livingston Division,
Livingston, Tennessee who became totally or partially
separated from employment on or after September 3, 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 10th day of October 2008

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