Petitioner Type: State
Impact Date: 03/25/2003
Filed Date: 04/20/2004
Most Recent Update: 05/17/2004
Determination Date: 05/17/2004
Expiration Date: 05/17/2006
Employment and Training Administration
TA-W-54,749
FELLOWES INC.
WIRE OFFICE AND DESK ACCESSORIES DIVISION
BELCAMP, MARYLAND
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 investigation was initiated on April 20, 2004 in
response to a petition filed by a company official on behalf of
workers at Fellowes Inc., Wire Office and Desk Accessories
Division, Belcamp, Maryland. The workers at the subject firm
produce wire office and desk accessories; they were separately
identifiable by function.
The investigation revealed that production and employment
at the subject firm declined absolutely during the period of
2002 to 2003 and from January through March of 2004, when
compared to the same period in 2003.
The investigation further revealed that company imports of
wire office and desk accessories increased absolutely 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 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 wire office and desk
accessories produced at Fellowes Inc., Wire Office and Desk
Accessories Division, Belcamp, Maryland contributed importantly
to the total or partial separation of workers and to the decline
in production and at that firm or subdivision. In accordance
with the provisions of the Act, I make the following
certification:
"All workers of Fellowes Inc., Wire Office and Desk
Accessories Division, Belcamp, Maryland, who became totally
or partially separated from employment on or after March
25, 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 17th day of May, 2004.
/s/ Linda G. Poole
_______________________________
LINDA G. POOLE
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance