96-15551. Pope & Talbot, Inc., Eau Claire, Wisconsin; Notice of Negative Determination Regarding Application for Reconsideration

[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 119 (Wednesday, June 19, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 31168-31169]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-15551]



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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
[NAFTA-00810]


Pope & Talbot, Inc., Eau Claire, Wisconsin; Notice of Negative 
Determination Regarding Application for Reconsideration

    By an application dated May 6, 1996, the United Paperworkers 
International Union, Local No. 42, requested administrative 
reconsideration of the subject petition for North American Free Trade 
Agreement-Transitional

[[Page 31169]]

Adjustment Assistance (NAFTA-TAA). The denial notice was signed on 
March 25, 1996 and published in the Federal Register on April 3, 1996 
(61 FR 14812).
    Pursuant to 29 CFR 90.18(c) reconsideration may be granted under 
the following circumstances:
    (1) If it appears on the basis of facts not previously considered 
that the determination complained of was erroneous;
    (2) if it appears that the determination complained of was based on 
a mistake in the determination of facts not previously considered; or
    (3) if in the opinion of the Certifying Officer, a 
misinterpretation of facts or of the law justified reconsideration of 
the decision.
    Workers at the subject firm were engaged in employment related to 
the production of diapers. The Union claims that sales, production and 
employment at the Eau Claire, Wisconsin production facility have 
declined. The Union also claims that competitors in the diaper industry 
produced articles of sort in Mexico and Canada and those articles are 
being exported to the United States. The Union further claims that 
Paragon Trade Brands, the owner of the Pope & Talbot production 
facility since January 1995, has purchased the Mabesa diaper facility 
in Mexico.
    The Department's denial of NAFTA-TAA for workers of Pope & Talbot, 
Inc., Eau Claire, Wisconsin was based on the fact the increased import 
criteria (3) and (4) were not met. There was no shift of production 
from the subject plant to Mexico or Canada, nor was there any company 
or customer imports of disposable baby diapers that are like or 
directly competitive with those produced by Pope & Talbot, Inc.
    Paragon Trade Brands, Inc. announced intent to enter into a 
contract with a Mexican firm to produce disposable baby diapers would 
not provide a basis for a worker group certification.

Conclusion

    After review of the application and investigative findings, I 
conclude that there has been no error or misinterpretation of the law 
or of the facts which would justify reconsideration of the Department 
of Labor's prior decision. Accordingly, the application is denied.

    Signed at Washington, D.C., this 5th day of June 1996.
Curtis K. Kooser,
Acting Program Manager, Policy and Reemployment Services, Office of 
Trade Adjustment Assistance.
[FR Doc. 96-15551 Filed 6-18-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-30-M