DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-53,319

MEADWESTVACO
LAKEWOOD MOLD
A DIVISION OF AGI POLYMATRIX GROUP
PITTSFIELD, MASSACHUSSETTS

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, as
amended (19 USC 2273), 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 sales and/or production have
decreased absolutely at the workers firm or subdivision and an
increase in imports of articles like or directly competitive with
articles produced by the workers' firm or subdivision contributed
importantly to workers' separation or threat of separation and to
the decline in the sales or production of the subject firm or
subdivision.
The investigation was initiated on October 23, 2003 in
response to a petition filed by a state agency representative on
behalf of workers at Meadwestvaco in Pittsfield Massachusetts. The
workers at the subject firm produced plastic molds at Lakewood
Mold, a division of AGI Polymatrix Group, Pittsfield,
Massachussetts.
The investigation revealed that the subject firm ceased
production of plastic molds on October 13, 2003.
The investigation further revealed that company imports of
plastic molds substantially 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 for the Department to issue a certification of
eligibility to apply for ATAA, the group eligibility requirements
of Section 246 of the Trade Act must be met. The Department has
determined in this case that the requirements of Section 246 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 determine that increases of imports of articles
like or directly competitive with plastic molds produced at
Meadwestvaco, Lakewood Mold, a division of AGI Polymatrix Group,
Pittsfield, Massachussetts, 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 Meadwestvaco, Lakewood Mold, a division of AGI
Polymatrix Group, Pittsfield, Massachussetts, who became
totally or partially separated from employment on or after
October 15, 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 are also
eligible to apply for alternative trade adjustment assistance
under Section 246 of the Trade Act of 1974."
Signed in Washington, D. C. this 17th day of November 2003

/s/ Linda G. Poole

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