DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-64,540
HANCOCK & MOORE, INC.
HICKORY, NORTH CAROLINA

TA-W-64,540A
JESSICA CHARLES LLC
HIGH POINT, 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, 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.
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)(B) of Section 222 have been met.
The investigation was initiated on November 26, 2008 in
response to a petition filed on behalf of workers of Hancock &
Moore, Inc., Hickory, North Carolina (TA-W-64,540), and Jessica
Charles LLC, High Point, North Carolina (TA-W-64,540A). These
two facilities share common ownership. The workers produce
leather and fabric upholstered furniture. Workers of the subject
firm are separately identifiable by location. These facilities
produce the same articles and share the same customer base.
The investigation revealed that employment and production
at the subject facilities declined in January through October
2008 compared with the same period the previous year.
Furthermore, company imports of upholstered furniture
increased 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 leather and fabric upholstered
furniture produced at Hancock & Moore, Inc., Hickory, North
Carolina (TA-W-64,540), and Jessica Charles LLC, High Point,
North Carolina (TA-W-64,540A) 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 Hancock & Moore, Inc., Hickory, North
Carolina (TA-W-64,540), and Jessica Charles LLC, High
Point, North Carolina (TA-W-64,540A) who became totally or
partially separated from employment on or after November
25, 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 19th day of December, 2008



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