DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-60,457

NEWPAGE CORPORATION
LUKE PAPER COMPANY
LUKE, MARYLAND

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 on November 20, 2006, in
response to a petition filed by a company official on behalf of
workers of Luke Paper Company, division of NewPage Corporation,
Luke, Maryland. The workers produce coated paper.
The investigation revealed that the subject firm experienced
sales and production declines. A threat of imminent layoffs is
extant. A survey by the Department of Labor revealed that major
declining customers did increase their purchases of imported paper
in 2005 and in January through October 2006.
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 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 coated paper produced at Luke
Paper Company, division of NewPage Corporation, Luke, Maryland
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 Luke Paper Company, division of NewPage
Corporation, Luke, Maryland who became totally or partially
separated from employment on or after November 20, 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 13th day of December, 2006

/s/ Linda G. Poole

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