DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-39,688

LIFESTYLE LEATHER PRODUCTS
SHELBY, NORTH CAROLINA

Certification Regarding Eligibility
To Apply for Worker Adjustment Assistance

In accordance with Section 223 of the Trade Act of 1974 (19
USC 2273) as amended by the Omnibus Trade and Competitiveness Act
of 1988 (P. L. 100-418), the Department of Labor herein presents
the results of an investigation regarding certification of eligi-
bility to apply for worker adjustment assistance.
In order to make an affirmative determination and issue a
certification of eligibility to apply for adjustment assistance,
each of the group eligibility requirements of Section 222 of the
Act must be met. It is determined in this case that all of the
requirements have been met.
The investigation was initiated on July 23, 2001 in response
to a petition filed by the workers at Lifestyle Leather Products,
Shelby, North Carolina. The affected workers were engaged in
employment related to the cutting and sewing of leather covers
for sofas and chairs.
The investigation revealed that production and employment at
the subject firm of the cut and sew operations, ceased on July
27, 2001.
Lifestyle Leather Products, Shelby, North Carolina, is
replacing the cut and sew production operations of leather covers
for sofas and chairs at its Shelby, North Carolina plant with
leather covers for sofas and chairs produced in Argentina to
supply U.S. customers.
Conclusion
After careful review of the facts obtained in the investi-
gation, I conclude that increases of imports of articles like
or directly competitive with leather covers for sofas and chairs
manufactured at Lifestyle Leather Products, Shelby, North
Carolina, contributed importantly to the decline in sales or
production and to the total or partial separation of workers of
that firm. In accordance with the provisions of the Act, I make
the following certification:
"All workers of Lifestyle Leather Products, Shelby, North
Carolina, engaged in employment related to cutting and
sewing of leather covers for sofas and chairs, who became
totally or partially separated from employment on or after
July 10, 2000 through two years from the date of certifi-

cation are eligible to apply for adjustment assistance under
Section 223 of the Trade Act of 1974."

Signed in Washington, D. C. this 28th day of August, 2001


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