DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-51,621
STORA ENSO NORTH AMERICA
WISCONSIN RAPIDS PAPER MILL
WISCONSIN RAPIDS, WISCONSIN

TA-W-51,621A
STORA ENSO NORTH AMERICA
BIRON PAPER MILL
BIRON, WISCONSIN

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 29, 2003 in response
to a petition filed by a company official on behalf of workers of
Stora Enso North America, Wisconsin Rapids Paper Mill, Wisconsin
Rapids, Wisconsin and Stora Enso North America, Biron Paper Mill,
Biron, Wisconsin. The workers produce coated free sheet at the
Wisconsin Rapids Paper Mill and coated ground wood at the Biron
Paper Mill.
Workers at the subject plants were certified eligible to apply
for Trade Adjustment Assistance on March 12, 2001 (TA-W-38,305).
That certification expired on March 12, 2003.
The current investigation revealed that employment at both
facilities declined in 2002 compared with 2001 and also declined
through February 2003.
The Department of Labor surveyed major customers of the
subject firm regarding their purchases of coated free sheet and
coated ground wood in 2002-2001 and in January through April, 2002
- 2003. The survey revealed that customers increased imports of
both products during the relevant periods.
Conclusion
After careful review of the facts obtained in the
investigation, I conclude that increases of imports of articles
like or directly competitive with coated free sheet and coated
groundwood produced at Stora Enso North America, Wisconsin Rapids
Paper Mill, Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin and Stora Enso North
America, Biron Paper Mill, Biron, Wisconsin contributed importantly
to the total or partial separation of workers and to the decline in
sales or production and at that firm or subdivision. In accordance
with the provisions of the Act, I make the following certification:



"All workers of Stora Enso North America, Wisconsin Rapids
Paper Mill, Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin and Stora Enso North
America, Biron Paper Mill, Biron, Wisconsin who became totally
or partially separated from employment on or after March 13,
2003 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 16th day of June 2003

/s/ Richard Church
_________________________________
RICHARD CHURCH
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance