DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-59,247
SAINT-GOBAIN ADVANCED CERAMICS
MICROELECTRONICS DIVISION
SANBORN, NEW YORK

TA-W-59,247A
SAINT-GOBAIN ADVANCED CERAMICS
MICROELECTRONICS DIVISION
EAST GRANBY, CONNECTICUT

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 (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 the case of Saint-Gobain Advanced Ceramics,
Microelectronics Division, Sanborn, New York that the requirements
of (a)(2)(A) of Section 222 have been met.
The investigation was initiated on April 20, 2006 in response
to a petition filed by a company official on behalf of workers of
Saint-Gobain Advanced Ceramics, Microelectronics Division, Sanborn,
New York (TA-W-59,247) and Saint-Gobain Advanced Ceramics,
Microelectronics Division, East Granby, Connecticut (TA-W-59,247A).
The workers at the Sanborn facility produce aluminum nitride
substrates, while the workers at the East Granby facility produce
silicon-nitrate bearings.
With regard to the Sanborn, New York facility, the
investigation revealed that sales, production and employment at the
facility all declined absolutely upon its shutdown, which occurred
on February 28, 2006.
The Department of Labor surveyed the subject facility's
primary customers regarding purchases of aluminum nitride
substrates in 2004, 2005 and during the period of January through
March of 2006. The survey revealed that from 2004 to 2005 when the
subject fir's sales declined, respondents became increasingly
reliant on imports of aluminum nitride substrates. Customer
imports also were sustained with the closure of the plant in 2006.
With regard to the East Granby, Connecticut location, the
petitioner has requested that the petition be withdrawn.
Consequently, the investigation has been terminated.
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 group eligibility requirements
of Section 246 of the Trade Act must be met. The Department has
determined in the case of the Sanborn, New York facility 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.
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 of the East Granby, Connecticut facility are denied
eligibility to apply for TAA, the workers cannot be certified
eligible for ATAA.
Conclusion
After careful review of the facts obtained in the
investigation, I determine that increases of imports of articles
like or directly competitive with aluminum nitride substrates
produced at Saint-Gobain Advanced Ceramics, Microelectronics
Division, Sanborn, New York 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 Saint-Gobain Advanced Ceramics,
Microelectronics Division, Sanborn, New York who became
totally or partially separated from employment on or after
April 16, 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, and are also
eligible to apply for alternative trade adjustment assistance
under Section 246 of the Trade Act of 1974."
The petition for Saint-Gobain Advanced Ceramics,
Microelectronics Division, East Granby, Connecticut has been
withdrawn. Consequently, that investigation has been terminated.
Signed in Washington, D.C., this 5th day of June 2006.

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