DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-40,508

LEXINGTON HOME BRANDS
PLANT 16
SPRUCE PINES, 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
eligibility 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 December 31, 2001, in
response to a petition filed on behalf of workers at Lexington
Home Brands, Plant 16, Spruce Pines, North Carolina. The
workers engaged in the production of home and office furniture.
The investigation revealed that production and employment
declined during the relevant period.
The U.S. Department of Labor conducted a survey of the
subject firm's major customers regarding their purchases of home
and office furniture. It was revealed that the major customer
increased foreign imports of home and office furniture, while
decreasing purchases of home and office furniture from the
subject firm. The major customer also purchased home and office
furniture domestically that was wholly manufactured in a foreign
country.
Conclusion
After careful review of the facts obtained in the investi-
gation, I conclude that customer increases of imports of home and
office furniture, contributed importantly to the decline in
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 Lexington Home Brands, Plant 16, Spruce
Pines, North Carolina, engaged in the production of home and
office furniture, who became totally or partially separated
from employment on or after October 23, 2000, are eligible
to apply for adjustment assistance under Section 223 of the
Trade Act of 1974."

Signed in Washington, D. C. this 4th day of March, 2002


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