DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Employment and Training Administration
TA-W-64,230

HOOKER FURNITURE CORPORATION
MARTINSVILLE, VIRGINIA


Negative Determination Regarding Eligibility
To Apply For Worker Adjustment Assistance
And Alternative Trade Adjustment Assistance

In accordance with Section 223 of the Trade Act of 1974, as
amended (19 USC 2273), the Department of Labor herein presents the
results of an investigation regarding certification of eligibility
to apply for worker adjustment assistance.
The investigation was initiated on October 16, 2008 in
response to a petition filed on behalf of workers of Hooker
Furniture Corporation, Martinsville, Virginia. The workers are
engaged in performing design, merchandising, sales, marketing,
global sourcing, logistics, customer relations, accounting,
finance, information services and order entry.


The investigation revealed that Hooker Furniture Corporation,
Martinsville, Virginia does not produce an article within the
meaning of Section 222(a)(2) of the Act. In order to be considered
eligible to apply for adjustment assistance under Section 223 of
the Trade Act of 1974, the worker group seeking certification (or
on whose behalf certification is being sought) must work for a
"firm" or appropriate subdivision that produces an article and
there must be a relationship between the workers' work and the
article produced by the workers' firm or appropriate subdivision.
The customer service workers described above do not support a firm
or appropriate subdivision that produces an article domestically.
Thus, the worker group can not be considered import impacted or
affected by a shift in production of an article.
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 worker group must be certified
eligible to apply for trade adjustment assistance (TAA). Since the
workers are denied eligibility to apply for TAA, the workers cannot
be certified eligible for ATAA.











Conclusion
After careful review of the facts obtained in the
investigation, I determine that all workers of Hooker Furniture
Corporation, Martinsville, Virginia are denied eligibility to apply
for adjustment assistance under Section 223 of the Trade Act of
1974, and are also denied eligibility 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 December, 2008

/s/ Linda G. Poole
____________________________
LINDA G. POOLE


Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance