DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-41,300

L & A MOLDING CORPORATION
LEWISTON, MAINE

Negative Determination 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
eligibility 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:
(1) that a significant number or proportion of the workers
in the workers' firm, or an appropriate subdivision
thereof, have become totally or partially separated, or
are threatened to become totally or partially
separated;

(2) that sales or production, or both, of the firm or
subdivision have decreased absolutely; and

(3) that increases of imports of articles like or directly
competitive with articles produced by the firm or
appropriate subdivision have contributed importantly to
the separations, or threat thereof, and to the absolute
decline in sales or production.

The investigation was initiated on April 15, 2002 in
response to a petition filed by the company official on behalf of
workers at L & A Molding Corporation, Lewiston, Maine. The
workers produce injection-molded soles and heels for the footwear
industry.
The investigation revealed that criterion (3) has not been
met.
The investigation revealed that the subject firm did not
import injection-molded soles and heels during the relevant
period. Therefore, the Department conducted a survey of the
subject firms' major customers regarding the purchases of
injection-molded soles and heels during the period under
investigation. The survey revealed no import increase in
injection-molded soles and heels.
A petition for eligibility to apply for NAFTA-Transitional
Adjustment Assistance was certified on May 1, 2002, applicable to
workers at the subject firm (NAFTA-6028).
Conclusion
After careful review, I determine that all workers at L & A
Molding Corporation, Lewiston, Maine engaged in employment
related to the production of injection-molded soles and heels,
are denied eligibility to apply for adjustment assistance under
Section 223 of the Trade Act of 1974.
Signed in Washington, D.C. this 4th day of June, 2002.



/s/ Edward A. Tomchick
______________________________
EDWARD A. TOMCHICK
Director, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance