[Federal Register: April 30, 2009 (Volume 74, Number 82)]
[Notices]               
[Page 19996-19997]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr30ap09-103]                         

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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

[TA-W-64,669]

 
Century Furniture, LLC, Chair Upholstery Campus and Uphosltery 
Division, Hickory, NC; Notice of Revised Determination on 
Reconsideration

    On March 13, 2009, the Department issued an Affirmative 
Determination Regarding Application on Reconsideration applicable to 
workers and former workers of the subject firm. The notice was 
published in the Federal Register on March 31, 2009 (74 FR 14594).
    The initial investigation initiated on December 15, 2008, resulted 
in a negative determination issued on January 12, 2009, was based on 
the finding that the subject firm did not

[[Page 19997]]

separate or threaten to separate a significant number or proportion of 
workers as required by Section 222 of the Trade Act of 1974. The denial 
notice was published in the Federal Register on February 2, 2009 (74 FR 
5871).
    In the request for reconsideration, the company official provided 
additional information regarding employment and layoffs at the subject 
firm. The company official confirmed that employment at the subject 
facility declined significantly in December, 2008 and further declined 
in January, 2009. The investigation also revealed that sales and 
production at the subject firm declined from January through November 
2008 over the corresponding 2007 period.
    Furthermore, the Department conducted a survey of the major 
declining customers regarding their purchases of upholstered furniture 
in 2006, 2007, January through November, 2007 and January through 
November, 2008. The survey of the major declining customers revealed 
that the customers increased their reliance on imported upholstered 
furniture during the relevant period.
    In accordance with Section 246 the Trade Act of 1974 (26 U.S.C. 
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 additional facts obtained on 
reconsideration, I conclude that increased imports of articles like or 
directly competitive with those produced at Century Furniture, LLC, 
Chair Upholstery Campus and Upholstery Division, Hickory, North 
Carolina, contributed importantly to the declines in sales or 
production and to the total or partial separation of workers at the 
subject firm. In accordance with the provisions of the Act, I make the 
following certification:

    ``All workers of Century Furniture, LLC, Chair Upholstery Campus 
and Upholstery Division, Hickory, North Carolina, who became totally 
or partially separated from employment on or after December 11, 
2007, 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, and are eligible to apply for alternative trade 
adjustment assistance under Section 246 of the Trade Act of 1974.''

    Signed in Washington, DC, this 20th day of April 2009.
Elliott S. Kushner
Certifying Officer, Division of Trade Adjustment Assistance.
[FR Doc. E9-9930 Filed 4-29-09; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4510-FN-P