DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-60,364

NEW PAGE CORPORATION
RUMFORD PAPER COMPANY
RUMFORD, 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), 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 this case that the requirements
of (a)(2)(A) of Section 222 have been met.
The investigation was initiated in response to a petition
received on November 3, 2006 and filed by a company official; USW
Local 900 president and IBEW local 2144 president and on behalf
of workers at New Page Corporation, Rumford Paper Company,
Rumford, Maine. The workers produced coated paper and pulp. The
workers are not separately identifiable by product.
The investigation revealed that plant sales and employment
declined during the relevant period.
The Department of Labor conducted a survey of the subject
firm's major declining customers regarding their purchases of
coated paper and pulp during 2004, 2005 and January through
October 2006 over the corresponding 2005 period. The survey
revealed customers increased their reliance on imported coated
paper and pulp during the relevant period.
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 addition, 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 subject facility are
age 50 or older and do not possess skills that are 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 coated paper and pulp produced
at New Page Corporation, Rumford Paper Company, Rumford, 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 New Page Corporation, Rumford Paper Company,
Rumford, Maine who became totally or partially separated
from employment on or after November 3, 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."
Signed in Washington, D. C. this 8th day of December, 2006.


/s/Elliott S. Kushner
______________________________
ELLIOTT S. KUSHNER
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance