DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-52,038

SONOCO PRODUCTS COMPANY
BAKER DIVISION
GRANITE FALLS, NORTH CAROLINA

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 in response to a petition
initiated on June 16, 2003 and filed by the company on behalf of
workers at Sonoco Products Company, Baker Division, Granite
Falls, North Carolina. The workers produce nailed wooden reels.
The investigation revealed that employment, sales and
production declined at the subject firm from 2001 to 2002.
The investigation also revealed that imports of nailed
wooden reels by the subject firm increased 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 nailed wooden reels produced
at Sonoco Products Company, Baker Division, Granite Falls, North
Carolina contributed importantly to the total or partial
separation of workers and to the decline in sales or production
and at that firm. In accordance with the provisions of the Act,
I make the following certification:
"All workers of Sonoco Products Company, Baker Division,
Granite Falls, North Carolina who became totally or
partially separated from employment on or after June 13,
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 30th day of June 2003.

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