Petitioner Type: Workers
Impact Date: 03/10/2003
Filed Date: 03/19/2004
Most Recent Update: 04/06/2004
Determination Date: 04/06/2004
Expiration Date: 04/06/2006
Employment and Training Administration
TA-W-54,543
GEORGIA PACIFIC
CONSUMER PRODUCTS DIVISION
SANDUSKY, 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, 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)(B) of
Section 222 have been met.
The investigation was initiated on March 18, 2004 in response
to a petition filed by the United Food and Commercial Workers, AFL-
CIO, Local 379, on behalf of workers of Georgia Pacific, Consumer
Products Division, Sandusky, Ohio. The workers at the subject
facility produce plastic cups.
The investigation revealed that workers at the subject
facility are threatened with employment separation.
Furthermore, the investigation revealed that the production of
plastic cups at the subject facility will shift from Sandusky, Ohio
to a country (Canada) that is a party to a free trade agreement
with the United States.
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 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 those produced at the subject division
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 Georgia Pacific, Consumer Products Division,
Sandusky, Ohio who became totally or partially separated from
employment on or after March 10, 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 6th day of April 2004.
/s/Richard Church
______________________________
RICHARD CHURCH
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance