DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-53,913
SMEAD MANUFACTURING
HASTINGS FACILITY
HASTINGS, MINNESSOTA

TA-W-53,913A
SMEAD MANUFACTURING
RIVER FALLS FACILITY
RIVER FALLS, WISCONSIN

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), 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 31, 2003, in
response to a petition filed by an official of the Paper, Allied-
Industrial, Chemical and Energy Workers International Union on
behalf of workers of Smead Manufacturing, Hastings facility,
Hastings, Minnesota (TA-W-53,913) and Smead Manufacturing, River
Falls facility, River Falls, Wisconsin (TA-W-53,913A). The workers
at the subject facilities produce various file folders and
associated paper products. Production at the two facilities is
integrated.
The investigation revealed that sales and employment at the
two facilities decreased in 2003 compared with 2002.
The Department of Labor surveyed the subject facility's major
customers regarding their purchases of file folders in 2002, 2003
and January of 2004. The survey revealed increases in imports
accompanied by reductions in purchases from the subject firm during
the period under investigation.
The investigation further revealed that the company imported a
minor but increasing amount of folders during the relevant period.
In addition, 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 file folders and associated
products manufactured at Smead Manufacturing, Hastings, Minnesota
(TA-W-53,913) and River Falls, Wisconsin (TA-W-53,913A) 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 Smead Manufacturing, Hastings facility,
Hastings, Minnesota (TA-W-53,913) and Smead Manufacturing,
River Falls facility, River Falls, Wisconsin (TA-W-53,913A)
who became totally or partially separated from employment on
or after December 22, 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 10th day of March 2004.

/s/ Richard Church
______________________________
RICHARD CHURCH
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance