DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-50,052

WESTAB
MEADWESTVACO CORPORATION
FRONT ROYAL, VIRGINIA

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, the Department of Labor herein presents
the results of its 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 Trade Adjustment
Assistance, the group eligibility requirements in either
paragraph (a)(2)(A) or (a)(2)(B) of Section 222 of the Trade Act
must be met. It is determined in this case that the requirements
of (a)(2)(A) of Section 222 have been met.
The investigation was initiated on November 12, 2002, in
response to a petition filed on behalf of the workers at Westab,
Meadwestvaco Corporation, Front Royal, Virginia. The workers
produced notebooks, envelopes, legal pads and construction
paper. The workers are separately identifiable by product line.
The investigation revealed that sales and employment at the
subject firm declined from 2001 to 2002.
The Department of Labor surveyed the subject firm's major
customers regarding their purchases of notebooks, envelopes,
legal pads and construction paper. This survey revealed
increases in customer imports of notebooks, envelopes, legal
pads and construction paper during the relevant time period.
Conclusion
After careful review of the facts obtained in the
investigation, I conclude that increases of imports of articles
like or directly competitive with those produced at Westab,
Meadwestvaco Corporation, Front Royal, Virginia 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 the Westab, Meadwestvaco Corporation, Front
Royal, Virginia, who became totally or partially separated
from employment on or after November 5, 2001, 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 3rd day of March, 2003.

/s/ Linda G. Poole
__________________________
LINDA G. POOLE
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance