DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-64,980

NATIONAL WOOD PRODUCTS OF MAINE, INC.
OXFORD, 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 on January 23, 2009, in response
to a petition filed by a company official on behalf of workers of
National Wood Products of Maine, Inc., Oxford, Maine. The workers
produce skateboards and secondary wood products such as furniture
components.
The investigation revealed that sales and employment declined at
the subject facility during the period under investigation.
The Department of Labor surveyed the subject firm's major
declining customer regarding their purchases of skateboards and
secondary wood products during 2007 and 2008. The survey revealed an
increased reliance on imports.
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 skateboards and secondary wood products produced at
National Wood Products of Maine, Inc., Oxford, 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 National Wood Products of Maine, Inc., Oxford,
Maine, who became totally or partially separated from employment
on or after January 22, 2008, 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 30th day of January 2009



/s/Linda G. Poole
______________________________
LINDA G. POOLE
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance