[Federal Register: February 22, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 36)]
[Notices]               
[Page 9837]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr22fe08-102]                         

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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

[TA-W-62,260]

 
Flexsteel Industries, Inc., Dubuque, IA; Notice of Revised 
Determination on Reconsideration

    By application dated January 12, 2008, the United Steel Workers, 
District 11, Local 1861 (the Union) requested administrative 
reconsideration of the Department's negative determination regarding 
eligibility for workers and former workers of Flexsteel Industries, 
Inc., Dubuque, Iowa (subject firm) to apply for Trade Adjustment 
Assistance (TAA) and Alternative Trade Adjustment Assistance (ATAA).
    Workers of the subject firm were certified eligible to apply for 
trade adjustment assistance under petition number TA-W-57,906, which 
expired on October 7, 2007. The initial investigation resulted in a 
negative determination signed on December 14, 2007 was based on the 
finding that the subject company did not separate or threaten to 
separate a significant number of workers. The denial notice was 
published in the Federal Register on December 31, 2007 (72 FR 74344).
    To support the request for reconsideration, the petitioner supplied 
additional information regarding employment at the subject firm.
    The review of the new information and findings of the initial 
investigation revealed that the subject firm separated a significant 
number of workers during the relevant period. The workers produce 
residential, commercial and recreational seating. The investigation 
also revealed that the company increased its imports of articles like 
or directly competitive with residential, commercial and recreational 
seating from 2005 to 2006 and from January through September of 2007 
when compared with the same period in 2006. Furthermore, sales and 
production declined at the subject firm during the relevant period.
    In accordance with Section 246 of 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 facts obtained in the investigation, I 
determine that increases of imports of residential, commercial and 
recreational seating, produced by Flexsteel Industries, Inc., Dubuque, 
Iowa, contributed importantly to the total or partial separation of 
workers and to the decline in sales or production at that firm or 
subdivision. In accordance with the provisions of the Act, I make the 
following certification:

    All workers of Flexsteel Industries, Inc., Dubuque, Iowa, who 
became totally or partially separated from employment on or after 
October 8, 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 at Washington, DC, this 11th day of February, 2008
Elliott S. Kushner,
Certifying Officer, Division of Trade Adjustment Assistance.
[FR Doc. E8-3218 Filed 2-21-08; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4510-FN-P