DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-52,829

NEW BEDFORD PLASTIC BAG COMPANY
NEW BEDFORD, MASSACHUSETTS

Certification Regarding Eligibility
To Apply for Worker Adjustment Assistance and
Alternative Trade 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 September 11, 2003 in
response to a petition filed by a company official on behalf of
workers at New Bedford Plastic Bag Company, New Bedford,
Massachusetts. The workers produced plastic bags.
Sales and employment declined during the relevant period.
The United States Department of Labor surveyed major
customers of the subject firm regarding their purchases of
plastic bags during 2001, 2002 and January through July 2003.
The survey revealed that respondents increased their reliance on
imports of plastic bags during the relevant period.
In accordance with Section 246 the Trade Act of 1974 (26
USC 2813), as amended, the Department of Labor herein presents
the results of its investigation regarding certification of
eligibility to apply for alternative trade adjustment assistance
(ATAA) for older workers.
In order to issue a certification of eligibility to apply
for ATAA for older workers, the group eligibility requirements
of Section 246(a)(3)(A)(ii) of the Trade Act must be met. The
Department has determined in this case that the requirements
have been met.
A significant number of workers at the firm are age 50 or
over and possess skills that are not easily transferable.
Competitive conditions within the industry are adverse.



Conclusion
After careful review of the facts obtained in the
investigation, I conclude that increases of imports of articles
like or directly competitive with plastic bags produced at New
Bedford Plastic Bag Company, New Bedford, Massachusetts
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 New Bedford Plastic Bag Company, New
Bedford, Massachusetts who became totally or partially
separated from employment on or after August 28, 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 and alternative trade
adjustment assistance under Section 246 of the Trade Act of
1974."
Signed in Washington, D. C., this 17th day of October, 2003

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