DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-64,627

OLDE HICKORY TANNERY, INC.
NEWTON, 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 (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 December 09, 2008, in response
to a worker petition filed on behalf of workers of Olde Hickory
Tannery, Inc., Newton, North Carolina. The workers produce upholstered
leather furniture.
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 customer regarding its purchases of upholstered leather
furniture in 2006 through November 2008. The survey revealed that the
respondent increased reliance upon imports which contributed
importantly to the separations at the subject firm.
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 upholstered leather furniture produced at Olde
Hickory Tannery, Inc., Newton, North Carolina 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 Olde Hickory Tannery, Inc., Newton, North
Carolina who became totally or partially separated from
employment on or after November 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 13th day of January, 2009

/s/ Richard Church

______________________________
RICHARD CHURCH
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance