DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-61,451

IRVING FOREST PRODUCTS
HARDWOOD DIVISION
STRONG, 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, 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 May 7, 2007 in response to
a petition filed by a company official on behalf of workers of
Irving Forest Products, Hardwood Division, Strong, Maine. The
workers at the subject firm manufacture hardwood boards, cants, and
railway ties. The workers are not separately identifiable by
product.
Employment at the subject firm declined during the period of
January through April 2007, when compared to the same time period
in 2006.
Furthermore, the subject firm shifted the production of
hardwood boards, cants, and railway ties to a country (Canada) that
is party to a free trade agreement with the United States.
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 there has been a shift in
production from the workers' firm or subdivision to Canada 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 Irving Forest Products, Hardwood Division,
Strong, Maine, who became totally separated from employment on
May 4, 2006, 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 at Washington, D.C., this 22nd day of June 2007


/s/Linda G. Poole

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