DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-64,573

THOMASVILLE FURNITURE INDUSTRIES, INCORPORATED
A SUBSIDIARY OF FURNITURE BRANDS
INTERNATIONAL, INCORPORATED
APPOMATTOX, VIRGINIA

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 trade 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 December 2, 2008, in response
to a petition filed by a company official on behalf of workers of
Thomasville Furniture Industries, Incorporated, a subsidiary of
Furniture Brands International, Incorporated, Appomattox, Virginia.
The workers produce ready-to-assemble furniture. Workers are not
separately identifiable by product line.
The investigation revealed that employment and sales declined in
January through November 2008 compared with the same period in 2007.
The Department of Labor surveyed the subject firm's major
declining customers regarding their purchases of ready-to-assemble
furniture in 2006, 2007, and January through November 2007, and in the
same period of 2008. The survey revealed that there was an increased
reliance on import purchases of these products during the relevant
periods above by such customers.
In accordance with Section 246 of 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 ready-to-assemble furniture at Thomasville Furniture
Industries, Incorporated, a subsidiary of Furniture Brands
International, Incorporated, Appomattox, Virginia 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 Thomasville Furniture Industries, Incorporated,
a subsidiary of Furniture Brands International, Incorporated,
Appomattox, Virginia who became totally or partially separated
from employment on or after November 21, 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 13th day of January, 2009

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