DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-39,061

SOLA OPTICAL USA
PETALUMA, CALIFORNIA

Certification Regarding Eligibility
To Apply for Worker Adjustment Assistance

In accordance with Section 223 of the Trade Act of 1974 (19 USC
2273) as amended by the Omnibus Trade and Competitiveness Act of
1988 (P. L. 100-418), the Department of Labor herein presents the
results of an investigation regarding certification of eligi-bility
to apply for worker adjustment assistance.
In order to make an affirmative determination and issue a
certification of eligibility to apply for adjustment assistance each
of the group eligibility requirements of Section 222 of the Act must
be met. It is determined in this case that all of the requirements
have been met.
The investigation was initiated in response to a petition
received on April 16, 2001, filed by a company official, on behalf
of workers at SOLA Optical USA, Petaluma, California. The workers
are engaged in the manufacture of eyeglass lenses.
The investigation revealed that production and employment at
the subject firm will decline to zero on August 31, 2001 when the
Petaluma, California plant is permanently shut down. The investi-
gation further revealed that the subject firm has increased its
imports of eyeglass lenses during the relevant period.
The U.S. Department of Labor conducted a survey of major
customers of the subject firm concerning their purchases of eye-
glass lenses in 1999, 2000, and the first-quarter of 2001. The
survey revealed that a major customer reported increasing imports of
eyeglass lenses while decreasing purchases from the subject firm
during the relevant period.
Conclusion
After careful review of the facts obtained in the investi-
gation, I conclude that increased imports from offshore of articles
like or directly competitive with eyeglass lenses pro-duced at SOLA
Optical USA, Petaluma, California, contributed importantly to the
decline in sales or production and to the total or partial
separation of workers of that firm.
In accordance with the provisions of the Act, I make the
following certification:
"All workers of SOLA Optical USA, Petaluma, California, who
became totally or partially separated from employment on or
after March 30, 2000, through two years from the date of
certification are eligible to apply for adjustment assistance
under Section 223 of the Trade Act of 1974."
Signed at Washington, D.C., this 23rd day of August, 2001.

/s/ Linda G. Poole

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