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Start Preamble
By letter dated June 1, 2006, Local 2-0445 USW requested administrative reconsideration regarding the Department's Negative Determination Regarding Eligibility to Apply for Worker Adjustment Assistance, applicable to the workers of the subject firm.
The initial investigation resulted in a negative determination signed on May 16, 2006 was based on the finding that imports of printing paper did not contribute importantly to worker separations at the subject plant and no shift of production to a foreign source occurred. The denial notice was published in the Federal Register on June 9, 2006 (71 FR 33488).
The petitioner stated that affected workers lost their jobs as a result of the subject firm's customers increasing imports of paper.
The Department conducted an additional investigation to determine whether imports of printing paper indeed impacted production at the subject firm and consequently caused workers separations. Upon further review of the previous investigation the Department conducted a more extended survey of the subject firm's declining customers. The survey revealed that a significant number of customers increased their reliance on imported printing paper during the relevant period. The imports accounted for a meaningful portion of the subject plant's lost production. The investigation further revealed that production and employment at the subject firm declined during the relevant time period.
In accordance with section 246 the Trade Act of 1974 (26 U.S.C. 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 additional facts obtained on reconsideration, I conclude that increased imports of articles like or directly competitive with those produced at Smart Papers, Park Falls, Wisconsin, contributed importantly to the declines in sales or production and to the total or partial separation of workers at the subject firm. In accordance with the provisions of the Act, I make the following certification:
All workers of Smart Papers, Park Falls, Wisconsin who became totally or partially separated from employment on or after March 14, 2005 through two years from the date of this certification, are eligible to apply for adjustment assistance under section 223 of the Trade Act of 1974, and are eligible to apply for alternative trade adjustment assistance under section 246 of the Trade Act of 1974.
Start SignatureSigned in Washington, DC this 11th day of July 2006.
Elliott S. Kushner,
Certifying Officer, Division of Trade Adjustment Assistance.
[FR Doc. E6-11852 Filed 7-24-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-30-P
Document Information
- Comments Received:
- 0 Comments
- Published:
- 07/25/2006
- Department:
- Employment and Training Administration
- Entry Type:
- Notice
- Document Number:
- E6-11852
- Pages:
- 42126-42126 (1 pages)
- Docket Numbers:
- TA-W-59,042
- PDF File:
- e6-11852.pdf