DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-53,534

INTERNATIONAL PAPER
AUGUSTA, MAINE

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 an 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 received on November 14, 2003, and filed by the
company on behalf of workers at International Paper,
Augusta, Maine. The workers were engaged in employment
related to the production of light-weight coated paper used
in the publishing industry.
The investigation revealed that sales, production and
employment declined at the subject facility during the
relevant period.
The investigation also revealed that employees at the
subject firm were involved in timberland management and
wood procurement for other International Paper locations,
mainly - International Paper, Bucksport, Maine that was
certified for TAA on December 5, 2003 (TA-W-53,533).
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 trans-
ferable. 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 light-weight
coated paper used in the publishing industry produced at
International Paper, Augusta, Maine, contributed
importantly to the total or partial separation of workers
and to the decline in sales or production at that firm or
subdivision. In accordance with the provisions of the
Act, I make the following certification:
"All workers of International Paper, Augusta, Maine,
who became totally or partially separated from
employment on or after October 29, 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 December 2003.

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