DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-64,502

ASHLEY FURNITURE INDUSTRIES, INC.
UPHOLSTERY DIVISION
ECRU, 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 November 21, 2008 in
response to a petition filed by workers of Ashley Furniture
Industries, Inc., Upholstery Division, Ecru, Mississippi. The
workers produce upholstered furniture. Workers are not
separately identifiable by product line.
The investigation revealed that employment and production
at the subject firm declined during the relevant period.
The investigation also revealed that the subject firm
increased imports of upholstered furniture from 2006 to 2007 and
during January through November 2008 compared to the
corresponding 2007 period.
Furthermore, the ratio of aggregate United States imports
to U.S. shipments of upholstered furniture was significant and
rising during the relevant period.
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 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 increases of imports of articles
like or directly competitive with furniture produced at Ashley
Furniture Industries, Inc., Upholstery Division, Ecru,
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 Ashley Furniture Industries, Inc.,
Upholstery Division, Ecru, Mississippi who became totally
or partially separated from employment on or after November
12, 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 29th day of January 2009


/s/Elliott S. Kushner
______________________________
ELLIOTT S. KUSHNER
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance