98-30109. Rubbermaid-Cortland, Inc., Cortland, New York; Notice of Negative Determination on Reconsideration

[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 217 (Tuesday, November 10, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 63081]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-30109]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration
[TA-W-34, 326]


Rubbermaid-Cortland, Inc., Cortland, New York; Notice of Negative 
Determination on Reconsideration

    On August 25, 1998, the Department issued an Affirmative 
Determination Regarding Application for Reconsideration for the workers 
and former workers of the subject firm. The notice was published in the 
Federal Register on September 4, 1998 (63 FR 47327).
    The Department initially denied TAA to workers of Rubbermaid-
Cortland because the ``contributed importantly'' group eligibility 
requirement of section 222(3) of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended, was 
not met. Production and sales at the Cortland, New York plant increased 
during the relevant time period. Furthermore, in early 1998, the 
production of molded plastic household products was shifted from 
Cortland to other domestic Rubbermaid production facilities. The 
workers at the subject firm were engaged in employment related to the 
production of molded plastic household products.
    The petitioners asserted that the subject firm shifted production 
of toolboxes to Canada and Europe and imported into the U.S. and 
further, that imports of toolboxes and other household products from 
other countries impacted on the subject firm's market share.
    On reconsideration, the Department requested that the Rubbermaid, 
Incorporated provide additional information about foreign toolbox 
production, other foreign production of household products, and 
information concerning overall sales and production for the Household 
Products Division.
    Additional information provided by the company indicates that 
production equaling less than 10 percent of the former production of 
toolboxes at Cortland was transferred to another country for three 
months then transferred back to another domestic facility of the 
company. The investigation also revealed that the subject firm is not 
importing like or directly competitive articles into the U.S. from 
recently acquired facilities in Europe. Further, the investigation 
revealed that the sales by Rubbermaid's Household Products Division is 
relatively unchanged.

Conclusion

    After reconsideration, I affirm the original notice of negative 
determination of eligibility to apply for worker adjustment assistance 
for workers and former workers of Rubbermaid-Cortland, Incorporated, 
Cortland, New York.

    Signed at Washington, DC, this 21st day of October 1998.
Grant D. Beale,
Acting Director, Office of Trade Adjustment Assistance.
[FR Doc. 98-30109 Filed 11-9-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-30-M