DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-54,556

PARAGON GLASS WORKS, INC.
LEWISTON, MAINE

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), 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 March 22, 2004 in response
to a petition filed by a state agency representative on behalf of
workers at Paragon Glass Works, Inc., Lewiston, Maine. The workers
of the subject firm produced blown glass for automobile light
bulbs. The workers were not separately identifiable by product
line.
The investigation revealed that the subject firm shut down on
March 26, 2004.
The Department of Labor surveyed the subject firm's major
declining customer regarding its purchases of blown glass for
automobile light bulbs. This survey revealed an increase in
imports of blown glass for automobile light bulbs from 2002 to
2003, as well as during 2004.
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 that in the case of Paragon Glass Works, Inc., Lewiston,
Maine, the requirements of Section 246 have been met.
A significant number of workers are age 50 or over and possess
skills that are not easily transferable within the geographical
area. 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 articles
like or directly competitive with those produced at Paragon Glass
Works, Inc., Lewiston, Maine 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 Paragon Glass Works, Inc., Lewiston, Maine,
who became totally or partially separated from employment on
or after March 18, 2003, 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 1974."
Signed in Washington, D. C. this 8th day of April 2004.


/s/ Linda G. Poole

______________________________
LINDA G. POOLE
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance