Labor substitution is still valid..
Following is from
http://www.immigration-law.com/
01/11/2005: Last Report from Chicago: Fate of Substitution of Employee for the Certified Labor Certification
* The certified PERM application may be used for the substitution of the alien beneficiary just as it has been the rule under the current labor certification practice. This is a very positive note. In closing this report from Chicago, this reporter wants to say "thanks" to the DOL officials for their good work for sharing information with the attendants. From the floor, the DOL received a large number of questions and comments, but as we reported yesterday, the DOL did not respond to any of these questions and comments at the end of the Briefing. It promises that the answers will be published on its web site in due course.