DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-54,360

ACME PACKAGING CORPORATION
ITW PACKAGING SYSTEMS DIVISION
NEW BRITAIN, CONNECTICUT

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 February 26, 2004 in
response to a petition filed by an official from District 26 of the
International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers
(IAMAW) on behalf of workers at Acme Packaging Corporation, ITW
Packaging Systems Division, New Britain, Connecticut. The workers
at the subject facility were engaged in employment related to the
production of packaging tools and packaging tool parts.
The investigation revealed that sales, production, and
employment at the subject firm declined during the past year.
Moreover, the subject firm closed on March 5, 2004.
The investigation further revealed that company imports of
packaging tools and packaging tool parts increased 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 packaging tools and packaging
tool parts produced at Acme Packaging Corporation, ITW Packaging
Systems Division, New Britain, Connecticut 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 Acme Packaging Corporation, ITW Packaging
Systems Division, New Britain, Connecticut who became totally
or partially separated from employment on or after February
23, 2003 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 8th day of April 2004.

/s/ Linda G. Poole

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