ETA Federal Register Notice

Drexel Heritage Furnishings, Inc., Machine Shop, Morganton, NC; Notice of Revised Determination on Reconsideration [05/30/2002]

Volume 67, Number 104, Page 37869

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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

[TA-W-40,328]

 
Drexel Heritage Furnishings, Inc., Machine Shop, Morganton, NC; 
Notice of Revised Determination on Reconsideration

    By letter of February 21, 2002, the petitioners, requested 
administrative reconsideration regarding the Department's Negative 
Determination Regarding Eligibility to Apply for Worker Adjustment 
Assistance, applicable to the workers of the subject firm.
    The initial investigation resulted in a negative determination 
issued on January 22, 2002, based on the finding that imports did not 
contribute importantly to worker separations at the subject plant. The 
declines in employment at the subject plant were attributed to the 
outsourcing of products produced by the subject plant (saw blades, 
shaper knives and other cutting bits) used in the manufacturing of 
furniture. The denial notice was published in the Federal Register on 
February 5, 2002 (67 FR 5293).
    The petitioners allege that the importing of furniture by an 
affiliate, Drexel Heritage Furnishings at Morganton, North Carolina, in 
which they were in direct support of drastically reduced the production 
of furniture and thus impacted the subject plant.
    Information provided by the petitioner and information provided by 
the company show that the subject plant workers were in direct support, 
producing saw blades, shaper knives and other cutting bits for of an 
affiliated plant(s) (Drexel Heritage Furnishings Inc., Plant 3 
and 5, Morganton, North Carolina). The workers of Drexel 
Heritage Furnishings Inc., Plants 3 and 5 produced 
residential furniture and were certified eligible to apply for Trade 
Adjustment Assistance on June 4, 2001 under TA-W-39,275. Therefore, 
since the workers of Drexel Heritage Furnishings, Inc., Machine Shop, 
North Carolina were in direct support (meaningful portion) of the 
residential furniture produced at the certified affiliated facilities, 
they meet the eligibility requirements of the Trade Act of 1974.

Conclusion

    After careful review of the additional facts obtained on 
reconsideration, I conclude that increased imports of articles like or 
directly competitive with those produced at Drexel Heritage 
Furnishings, Inc., Morganton, North Carolina, in which the subject firm 
was in direct support, contributed importantly to the declines in the 
firm's sales or production and to the total or partial separation of 
workers at the Drexel Heritage Furnishings, Inc., Machine Shop, 
Morganton, North Carolina. In accordance with the provisions of the 
Act, I make the following certification:

    All workers of Drexel Heritage Furnishings, Inc., Machine Shop, 
Morganton, North Carolina, who became totally or partially separated 
from employment on or after October 9, 2000 through two years from 
the date of this certification, are eligible to apply for adjustment 
assistance under section 223 of the Trade Act of 1974.


    Signed in Washington, DC, this 6th day of May, 2002.
Edward A. Tomchick,
Director, Division of Trade Adjustment Assistance.
[FR Doc. 02-13543 Filed 5-29-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-30-P