DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-59,117

POINT TECHNOLOGIES
A SUBSIDIARY OF ANGIOTECH PHARMACEUTICALS
GIBBON, MINNESOTA

Certification Regarding Eligibility
To Apply for Worker Adjustment Assistance and
Negative Determination Regarding Eligibility to Apply for
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.
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)(B) of
Section 222 have been met.
The investigation was initiated on March 30, 2006 in response
to a petition filed by a state workforce agent on behalf of workers
of Point Technologies, a subsidiary of Angiotech Pharmaceuticals,
Gibbon, Minnesota. The workers produce precision electro-chemical
pointed, and micro-machined, wire and tubing.
Employment, sales, and production at the subject firm will
decrease absolutely upon its scheduled shutdown in June of 2006.
The decline in employment is related to a shift in production
from Gibson, Minnesota to a country (Costa Rica) that is a
beneficiary under the Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act.
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.
The group eligibility criteria for the ATAA program

that the Department must consider under Section 246 of the

Trade Act are:

1. Whether a significant number of workers in the
workers' firm are 50 years of age or older.
2. Whether the workers in the workers' firm possess
skills that are not easily transferable.
3. The competitive conditions within the workers'
industry (i.e., conditions within the industry are
adverse).
The Department has determined that criterion 1 has not been
met. The investigation revealed that there is not a significant
number of workers in the workers' firm 50 years of age or older.
Conclusion
After careful review of the facts obtained in the
investigation, I determine that there was a shift in production
from the workers' firm or subdivision to Costa Rica of articles
that are like or directly competitive with those produced by the
subject firm or subdivision. In accordance with the provisions of
the Act, I make the following certification:
"All workers of Point Technologies, a subsidiary of Angiotech
Pharmaceuticals, Gibbon, Minnesota who become totally or
partially separated from employment on or after March 23, 2005
through two years from the date of certification are eligible
to apply for adjustment assistance under Section 223 of the
Trade Act of 1974."
I further determine that all workers of Point Technologies, a
subsidiary of Angiotech Pharmaceuticals, Gibbon, Minnesota are
denied eligibility to apply for alternative trade adjustment
assistance under Section 246 of the Trade Act of 1974.
Signed in Washington, D.C., this 6th day of April, 2006

/s/Richard Church
______________________________
RICHARD CHURCH
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance