DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-51,182

BALL CORPORATION
METAL FOOD CONTAINER OPERATION
BLYTHEVILLE, ARKANSAS


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 March 17, 2003, in response to
a petition filed by state workforce agency (Arkansas) on behalf of
workers of Ball Corporation, Metal Food Container Operation,
Blytheville, Arkansas. The workers produce metal food containers.
These workers are separately identifiable from all other workers at
the facility.
The investigation revealed that employment declined in 2002
compared to 2001.
The investigation also revealed that the company increased their
reliance on imported metal food containers during the period under
investigation.
Conclusion
After careful review of the facts obtained in the investigation,
I conclude that increases of imports of articles like or directly
competitive with metal food containers produced at Ball Corporation,
Metal Food Container Operation, Blytheville, Arkansas 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 Ball Corporation, Metal Food Container Operation,
Blytheville, Arkansas, who became totally or partially separated
from employment on or after March 14, 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,
as amended."
Signed in Washington, D. C. this 26th day of March 2003.


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