DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-53,765

CARAUSTAR
ASHLAND CARTON PLANT
CUSTOM PACKAGING GROUP
ASHLAND, OHIO

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 December 10, 2003 in
response to a petition filed on behalf of workers at Caraustar,
Ashland Carton Plant, Custom Packaging Group, Ashland, Ohio.
Workers at the subject facility produced paperboard packaging.
The investigation revealed sales, production and employment
declined from 2001 to 2002 and during the period of January through
November 2003 when compared to the same period in 2002. The
subject facility closed during the last quarter of 2003.
The Department of Labor surveyed the subject firms’ major
declining customers regarding their purchases of paperboard
packaging. This survey revealed increased imports of paperboard
packaging during the relevant period.
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 facility are age 50 or
over and do not possess skills that are 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 paperboard packaging produced at
Caraustar, Ashland Carton Plant, Custom Packaging Group, Ashland,
Ohio contributed importantly to the total or partial separation of
workers and to the decline in sales or production and at that
facility or subdivision.
In accordance with the provisions of the Act, I make the
following certification:


"All workers of Caraustar, Ashland Carton Plant, Custom
Packaging Group, Ashland, Ohio, who became totally or
partially separated from employment on or after December 5,
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 21st day of January 2004.

/s/ Linda G. Poole

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