DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-51,486

MEADWESTVACO CORPORATION
ENVELOPE PACKAGING GROUP
A C.O.P.G. DIVISION
SPRINGFIELD, MASSACHUSETSS

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 April 11, 2003, in
response to a petition filed on behalf of the workers at
MeadWestvaco Corporation, Envelope Packaging Group, a division
of C.O.P.G., Springfield, Massachusetts. The workers produced
envelopes.
The investigation revealed that sales and employment at the
subject firm declined from 2001 to 2002 and again from January
through March 2002 when compared to the same time period in
2003.
The Department of Labor surveyed the subject firm's major
customers regarding their purchases of envelopes. This survey
revealed increases in customer imports of envelopes 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 MeadWestvaco
Corporation, Envelope Packaging Group, a division of C.O.P.G.,
Springfield, Massachusetts 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 MeadWestvaco Corporation, Envelope
Packaging Group, a division of C.O.P.G., Springfield,
Massachusetts engaged in employment related to the
production of envelopes who became totally or partially
separated from employment on or after April 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 at Washington, D.C., this 16th day of June, 2003.

/s/ Linda G. Poole

__________________________
LINDA G. POOLE
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance