Petitioner Type: Union
Impact Date: 04/14/2003
Filed Date: 04/15/2004
Most Recent Update: 05/19/2004
Determination Date: 05/19/2004
Expiration Date: 05/19/2006
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Employment and Training Administration
TA-W-54,726
SANFORD CORPORATION
A SUBSIDIARY OF NEWELL RUBBERMAID
BUSINESS-TO-BUSINESS DIVISION
PEN ASSEMBLY LINE
JANESVILLE, 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)(B) of
Section 222 have been met.
The investigation was initiated April 15, 2004 in response to
a petition filed by United Steelworkers of America (USWA), Local
1533-1 on behalf of workers on the Pen Assembly Line of Sanford
Corporation, a subsidiary of Newell Rubbermaid, Business-to-
Business Division, Janesville, Wisconsin. The workers on the Pen
Assembly Line produce (assemble) plastic refillable pens and are
separately identifiable from others at the facility.
The investigation revealed that sales, production and
employment at the subject division decreased during the period of
January through March 2004 when compared to the same period in
2003.
The investigation also revealed the preponderance of declines
in employment at the subject worker group is related to a shift in
production of plastic refillable pens to Taiwan. Imports of this
product are likely to increase.
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 those produced at the subject firm
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 employed on the Pen Assembly Line at Sanford
Corporation, Business-to-Business Division, a subsidiary of
Newell Rubbermaid, Janesville, Wisconsin who became totally or
partially separated from employment on or after April 14, 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 19th day of May 2004.
/s/ Richard Church
______________________________
RICHARD CHURCH
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance