DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-56,271

HOUZE GLASS CORPORATION
SUBSIDIARY OF WILSON BROTHERS USA
POINT MARION, PENNSYLVANIA

Certification Regarding Eligibility
To Apply for Worker Adjustment Assistance and
Alternative 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 January 3, 2005, in
response to a petition filed by a United Steel Workers of America
representative on behalf of workers at Houze Glass Corporation,
subsidiary of Wilson Brothers USA, Point Marion, Pennsylvania. The
workers at the subject firm produced silkscreen ceramic mugs and
glassware.
The investigation revealed that sales, production, and
employment at the subject firm declined from 2003 to 2004.
The Department of Labor surveyed the subject firm's major
declining customers regarding their purchases of silkscreen ceramic
mugs and glassware. The survey revealed increased imports of
silkscreen ceramic mugs and glassware by the subject firm's
customers during the period under investigation.
In addition, in accordance with Section 246 of 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.







Conclusion
After careful review of the facts obtained in the
investigation, I determine that increases of imports of articles
like or directly competitive with silkscreen ceramic mugs and
glassware produced at the subject firm 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 Houze Glass Corporation, subsidiary of Wilson
Brothers USA, Point Marion, Pennsylvania who became totally or
partially separated from employment on or after December 22,
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 7th day of February, 2005.


/s/ Elliott S. Kushner

______________________________
ELLIOTT S. KUSHNER
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance