DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-50,921

NVF HARTWELL
CONTAINER DIVISION
HARTWELL, GEORGIA

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 February 19, 2003, in
response to a petition filed on behalf of workers of NVF, Container
Division, Hartwell, Georgia. The workers produced cans, material
handling trucks and springs.
The investigation revealed sales decreased in 2001 compared to
2000 and in January-November 2002 compared to the same period in
2001. Layoffs occurred in the summer of 2002.
The Department conducted a survey of major declining customers
of the subject firm regarding their purchases of cans, material
handling trucks and springs in 2001 and 2002. The survey revealed
that a respondent that accounted for an important percentage of the
subject firm's sales decline increased their imports of cans,
material handling trucks and springs during the relevant period.
Conclusion
After careful review of the facts obtained in the
investigation, I determine that increases of imports of articles
like or directly competitive with cans, trucks and springs produced
at NVF, Container Division, Hartwell, Georgia contributed
importantly to the total or partial separation of workers and to
the decline in sales or production at that firm or subdivision. In
accordance with the provisions of the Act, I make the following
certification:
"All workers of NVF, Container Division, Hartwell, Georgia who
became totally or partially separated from employment on or
after February 10, 2002 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 in Washington, D. C. this 9th day of May, 2003

/s/ Elliott S. Kushner
______________________________
ELLIOTT S. KUSHNER
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance