DEPARTMENT OF LABOR. Employment and Training Administration STEELCASE INC. WOOD PLANT CALEDONIA, MICHIGAN

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1 DEPARTMENT OF LABOR Employment and Training Administration TA-W-63,231 WOOD PLANT CALEDONIA, MICHIGAN Certification Regarding Eligibility To Apply for Worker Adjustment Assistance and Alternative Trade Adjustment Assistance In accordance with Section 223 of the Trade Act of 1974 (19 USC 2273), as amended, the Department of Labor herein presents the results of its 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 Trade Adjustment Assistance, the group eligibility requirements in either paragraph (a)(2)(a) or (a)(2)(b) of Section 222 of the Trade Act must be met. It is determined in this case that the requirements of (a)(2)(a) of Section 222 have been met. The investigation was initiated on April 22, 2008 in response to a petition filed by a company official on behalf of workers at Steelcase Inc., Wood Plant, Caledonia, Michigan. The workers produce office furniture. The workers are separately identifiable from other divisions of Steelcase Inc. which are covered by trade

2 adjustment assistance (TAA) petitions numbered TA-W-63,231A through TA-W-63,231L. The investigation revealed that sales, production, and employment at the division declined in January through April 2008 when compared with the same period in During the relevant period, the subject firm increased its reliance on imports of office furniture. In accordance with Section 246 the Trade Act of 1974 (26 USC 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.

3 Conclusion After careful review of the facts obtained in the investigation, I determine that increased imports of articles like or directly competitive with office furniture produced by Steelcase Inc., Wood Plant, Caledonia, Michigan 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 Steelcase Inc., Wood Plant, Caledonia, Michigan, who became totally or partially separated from employment on or after April 18, 2007 through two years from the date of certification are eligible to apply for adjustment assistance under Section 223 of the Trade Act of 1974, and are also eligible to apply for alternative trade adjustment assistance under Section 246 of the Trade Act of Signed in Washington, D.C., this 13th day of June 2008 /s/ Linda G. Poole LINDA G. POOLE Certifying Officer, Division of Trade Adjustment Assistance

4 DEPARTMENT OF LABOR Employment and Training Administration TA-W-63,231A GLOBAL HEADQUARTERS DIVISION GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN TA-W-63,231B CORPORATE DEVELOPMENT CENTER CALEDONIA, MICHIGAN TA-W-63,231C KENTWOOD WEST PLANT CALEDONIA, MICHIGAN TA-W-63,231D KENTWOOD EAST PLANT CALEDONIA, MICHIGAN TA-W-63,231E PHYSICAL DISTRIBUTION CENTER KENTWOOD, MICHIGAN TA-W-63,231F STEELCASE UNIVERSITY GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN TA-W-63,231G BRAYTON INTERNATIONAL DIVISION HIGH POINT, NORTH CAROLINA TA-W-63,231H ATHENS DIVISION ATHENS, ALABAMA TA-W-63,231I DETAILS DIVISION ATHENS, ALABAMA

5 TA-W-63,231J ATLANTA DIVISION LITHIA SPRINGS, GEORGIA Negative Determinations Regarding Eligibility To Apply for Worker Adjustment Assistance And Alternative Trade Adjustment Assistance In accordance with Section 223 of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended (19 USC 2273), the Department of Labor herein presents the results of an investigation regarding certification of eligibility to apply for worker adjustment assistance. The group eligibility requirements for directly-impacted (primary) workers under Section 222(a) the Trade Act of 1974, as amended, can be satisfied in either of two ways: I. Section (a)(2)(a) all of the following must be satisfied: A. a significant number or proportion of the workers in such workers' firm, or an appropriate subdivision of the firm, have become totally or partially separated, or are threatened to become totally or partially separated; B. the sales or production, or both, of such firm or subdivision have decreased absolutely; and C. increased imports of articles like or directly competitive with articles produced by such firm or subdivision have contributed importantly to such workers separation or threat of separation and to the decline in sales or production of such firm or subdivision; or

6 II. Section (a)(2)(b) both of the following must be satisfied: A. a significant number or proportion of the workers in such workers' firm, or an appropriate subdivision of the firm, have become totally or partially separated, or are threatened to become totally or partially separated; B. there has been a shift in production by such workers firm or subdivision to a foreign country of articles like or directly competitive with articles which are produced by such firm or subdivision; and C. One of the following must be satisfied: 1. the country to which the workers firm has shifted production of the articles is a party to a free trade agreement with the United States; 2. the country to which the workers firm has shifted production of the articles is a beneficiary country under the Andean Trade Preference Act, African Growth and Opportunity Act, or the Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act; or 3. there has been or is likely to be an increase in imports of articles that are like or directly competitive with articles which are or were produced by such firm or subdivision. The investigation was initiated on April 22, 2008 in response to a petition filed by a company official on behalf of workers of ten divisions of Steelcase Inc., namely Global Headquarters Division, Grand Rapids, Michigan (TA-W-63,231A), Corporate Development Center, Caledonia, Michigan (TA-W- 63,231B), Kentwood West Plant, Caledonia, Michigan (TA-W- 63,231C), Kentwood East Plant, Caledonia, Michigan (TA-W- 63,231D), Physical Distribution Center, Kentwood, Michigan (TA- W-63,231E), Steelcase University, Grand Rapids, Michigan (TA-W- 63,231F), Brayton International Division, High Point, North Carolina (TA-W-63,231G), Athens Division, Athens, Alabama (TA-W-

7 63,231H), Details Division, Athens, Alabama (TA-W-63,231I), and Atlanta Division, Lithia Springs, Georgia (TA-W-63,231J). The subject workers produce office furniture or are engaged in support services directly related to this production. The workers are separately identifiable from other divisions of Steelcase Inc. which are covered by trade adjustment assistance (TAA) petitions numbered TA-W-63,231, TA- W-63,231K, and TA-W-63,231L. The investigation revealed that criteria (a)(2)(a)(i.a) and (a)(2)(b)(ii.a) have not been met. The investigation revealed that the number of workers separated and threatened with separation between 2006 and 2007 and in January through April 2008 compared with the same period in 2007 does not constitute a significant number or proportion of the subject worker group at each division (at least 5 percent). In addition, in accordance with Section 246 the Trade Act of 1974 (26 USC 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 worker group must be certified eligible to apply for trade adjustment assistance

8 (TAA). Since the workers are denied eligibility to apply for TAA, the workers cannot be certified eligible for ATAA.

9 Conclusion After careful review of the facts obtained in the investigation, I determine that all workers of Steelcase Inc., Global Headquarters Division, Grand Rapids, Michigan (TA-W- 63,231A), Corporate Development Center, Caledonia, Michigan (TA- W-63,231B), Kentwood West Plant, Caledonia, Michigan (TA-W- 63,231C), Kentwood East Plant, Caledonia, Michigan (TA-W- 63,231D), Physical Distribution Center, Kentwood, Michigan (TA- W-63,231E), Steelcase University, Grand Rapids, Michigan (TA-W- 63,231F), Brayton International Division, High Point, North Carolina (TA-W-63,231G), Athens Division, Athens, Alabama (TA-W- 63,231H), Details Division, Athens, Alabama (TA-W-63,231I), and Atlanta Division, Lithia Springs, Georgia (TA-W-63,231J), are denied eligibility to apply for adjustment assistance under Section 223 of the Trade Act of 1974, and are also denied eligibility to apply for alternative trade adjustment assistance under Section 246 of the Trade Act of Signed in Washington, D.C., this 13th day of June 2008 /s/ Linda G. Poole LINDA G. POOLE Certifying Officer, Division of Trade Adjustment Assistance

10 DEPARTMENT OF LABOR Employment and Training Administration TA-W-63,231K VECTA DIVISION GRAND PRAIRIE, TEXAS Negative Determinations Regarding Eligibility To Apply for Worker Adjustment Assistance And Alternative Trade Adjustment Assistance In accordance with Section 223 of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended (19 USC 2273), the Department of Labor herein presents the results of an investigation regarding certification of eligibility to apply for worker adjustment assistance. The group eligibility requirements for directly-impacted (primary) workers under Section 222(a) the Trade Act of 1974, as amended, can be satisfied in either of two ways: I. Section (a)(2)(a) all of the following must be satisfied: B. a significant number or proportion of the workers in such workers' firm, or an appropriate subdivision of the firm, have become totally or partially separated, or are threatened to become totally or partially separated; B. the sales or production, or both, of such firm or subdivision have decreased absolutely; and C. increased imports of articles like or directly competitive with articles produced by such firm or subdivision have contributed importantly to such workers separation or threat of separation and to the decline in sales or production of such firm or subdivision; or

11 II. Section (a)(2)(b) both of the following must be satisfied: B. a significant number or proportion of the workers in such workers' firm, or an appropriate subdivision of the firm, have become totally or partially separated, or are threatened to become totally or partially separated; B. there has been a shift in production by such workers firm or subdivision to a foreign country of articles like or directly competitive with articles which are produced by such firm or subdivision; and C. One of the following must be satisfied: 4. the country to which the workers firm has shifted production of the articles is a party to a free trade agreement with the United States; 5. the country to which the workers firm has shifted production of the articles is a beneficiary country under the Andean Trade Preference Act, African Growth and Opportunity Act, or the Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act; or 6. there has been or is likely to be an increase in imports of articles that are like or directly competitive with articles which are or were produced by such firm or subdivision. The investigation was initiated on April 22, 2008 in response to a petition filed by a company official on behalf of workers of Steelcase Inc., Vecta Division, Grand Prairie, Texas. The subject workers produce office furniture. The workers are separately identifiable from other divisions of Steelcase Inc. which are covered by trade adjustment assistance (TAA) petitions numbered TA-W-63,231, TA- W-63,231A through TA-W-63,231J, and TA-W-63,231L. The investigation revealed that criteria (a)(2)(a)(i.b) and (a)(2)(b)(ii.b) have not been met. Sales and production at the division increased between

12 2006 and 2007 and in January through April 2008 when compared with the same period in In addition, the subject firm did not shift production of office furniture to a foreign country. In accordance with Section 246 the Trade Act of 1974 (26 USC 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 worker group must be certified eligible to apply for trade adjustment assistance (TAA). Since the workers are denied eligibility to apply for TAA, the workers cannot be certified eligible for ATAA.

13 Conclusion After careful review of the facts obtained in the investigation, I determine that all workers of Steelcase Inc., Vecta Division, Grand Prairie, Texas, are denied eligibility to apply for adjustment assistance under Section 223 of the Trade Act of 1974, and are also denied eligibility to apply for alternative trade adjustment assistance under Section 246 of the Trade Act of Signed in Washington, D.C., this 13 th day of June 2008 /s/ Linda G. Poole LINDA G. POOLE Certifying Officer, Division of Trade Adjustment Assistance

14 DEPARTMENT OF LABOR Employment and Training Administration TA-W-63,231L HEDBERG DATA SYSTEMS DIVISION EAST WINDSOR, CONNECTICUT Negative Determination Regarding Eligibility To Apply for Worker Adjustment Assistance And Alternative Trade Adjustment Assistance In accordance with Section 223 of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended (19 USC 2273), the Department of Labor herein presents the results of an investigation regarding certification of eligibility to apply for worker adjustment assistance. The group eligibility requirements for directly-impacted (primary) workers under Section 222(a) the Trade Act of 1974, as amended, can be satisfied in either of two ways: I. Section (a)(2)(a) all of the following must be satisfied: C. a significant number or proportion of the workers in such workers' firm, or an appropriate subdivision of the firm, have become totally or partially separated, or are threatened to become totally or partially separated; B. the sales or production, or both, of such firm or subdivision have decreased absolutely; and C. increased imports of articles like or directly competitive with articles produced by such firm or subdivision have contributed importantly to such workers separation or threat of separation and to the decline in sales or production of such firm or subdivision; or II. Section (a)(2)(b) both of the following must be satisfied: C. a significant number or proportion of the workers in such workers' firm, or an appropriate subdivision of the

15 firm, have become totally or partially separated, or are threatened to become totally or partially separated B. there has been a shift in production by such workers firm or subdivision to a foreign country of articles like or directly competitive with articles which are produced by such firm or subdivision; and C. One of the following must be satisfied: the country to which the workers firm has shifted production of the articles is a party to a free trade agreement with the United States; 7. the country to which the workers firm has shifted production of the articles is a beneficiary country under the Andean Trade Preference Act, African Growth and Opportunity Act, or the Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act; or 8. there has been or is likely to be an increase in imports of articles that are like or directly competitive with articles which are or were produced by such firm or subdivision. The investigation was initiated on April 22, 2008 in response to a petition filed by a company official on behalf of workers of Steelcase Inc., Hedberg Data Systems Division, East Windsor, Connecticut. The subject workers produce software. This software performs logistical functions and is sold to Steelcase Inc. customers. Those customers use the software to place furniture orders with Steelcase Inc. The workers are separately identifiable from other divisions of Steelcase Inc. which are covered by trade adjustment assistance (TAA) petitions numbered TA-W-63,231 and TA-W-63,231A through TA-W-63,231K. The investigation revealed that criteria (a)(2)(a)(i.c) and (a)(2)(b)(ii.b) have not been met. The subject firm did not shift production of logistical

16 software to a foreign country, nor did it import like or competitive products in 2006, 2007, or January through April In addition, in accordance with Section 246 the Trade Act of 1974 (26 USC 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 worker group must be certified eligible to apply for trade adjustment assistance (TAA). Since the workers are denied eligibility to apply for TAA, the workers cannot be certified eligible for ATAA.

17 Conclusion After careful review of the facts obtained in the investigation, I determine that all workers of Steelcase Inc., Hedberg Data Systems Division, East Windsor, Connecticut, are denied eligibility to apply for adjustment assistance under Section 223 of the Trade Act of 1974, and are also denied eligibility to apply for alternative trade adjustment assistance under Section 246 of the Trade Act of Signed in Washington, D.C., this 13th day of June 2008 /s/ Linda G. Poole LINDA G. POOLE Certifying Officer, Division of Trade Adjustment Assistance