DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-40,316

AMERICAN FURNITURE CO.
MARTINSVILLE, VIRGINIA

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 eli-
gibility 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 in response to a petition
received on November 5, 2001, filed on behalf of workers at
American Furniture Co., Martinsville, Virginia. The workers
produced case goods and upholstered goods, furniture for
hotels/motels.
Investigation findings revealed that the subject plant
experienced declines in sales and levels of employment.
The United States Department of Labor conducted a survey of
bids that had been lost by the subject firm. This survey
revealed that the subject firm had lost one substantial bid to a
foreign competitor.
A petition for NAFTA Transitional Adjustment Assistance has
been filed on behalf of workers at the subject firm (NAFTA-5444).
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 those produced by American Furniture
Co., Martinsville, Virginia, contributed importantly to the
decline in sales and production and to the total or partial
separation of workers of the subject firm. In accordance with
the provisions of the Act, I make the following certification:
"All workers at American Furniture Co., Martinsville,
Virginia, who became totally or partially separated
from employment on or after October 4, 2000, through
two years from the date of certification, are eligible
to apply for adjustment assistance under Section 223 of
the Trade Act of 1974."
Signed at Washington, D.C., this 12th day of April 2002.
/s/ Linda G. Poole
__________________________________
LINDA G. POOLE
Certifying Officer
Division of Trade Adjustment Assistance