Findings of the Investigation

BUSINESS CONFIDENTIAL

TA-W-54,967

AMERICAN GREETINGS CORP.
BARDSTOWN, KENTUCKY

Determination and Basis

Actual/likely increase in imports following a shift (C-5)

Previous Determination: N/A

Number of Workers Affected: 91

Total Number of Workers: 659

Petitioner: Company official

Product: Greeting cards

SIC: 2771

RELEVANT DATES: Institution Date: 05/24/2004
Petition Date: 05/24/2004
Impact Date: 05/24/2003

File: S:\ONR\OADWTAAR\DTAA\WPDOCS\CASE\T1\54967

Investigator: Hope D. Jones

Supporting Evidence

American Greetings Corp., Bardstown, Kentucky is the subject of
this investigation. Workers at the subject firm produce greeting
cards; they are not separately identifiable by product line.

Approximately 33 workers at the subject firm, accounting for 5
percent of the workforce, were separated from January through April
2003 to January through April 2004. Additionally, 58 workers were
separated with a May 24, 2004 layoff.

The investigation revealed that the subject firm has shifted some
of its production of their greeting cards (cover stocks);
outsourcing 82 percent to China and 18 percent to a sister facility
in Osceola, Arkansas. Production requirements have been shipped to
China and all production should take place by September 1, 2004.
Currently, 14 million cards have been produced in China.

Additionally, cover stock greeting cards represents approximately 3
percent of the overall greeting cards production at the subject
firm.

The investigation revealed that a significant number of workers at
the facility are age 50 and do possess skills that are easily
transferable.




DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-54,967

AMERICAN GREETINGS CORP.
BARDSTOWN, KENTUCKY

Certification Regarding Eligibility
To Apply For Worker Adjustment Assistance and
Negative Determination Regarding Eligibility To Apply For
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 May 24, 2004 in response to a
petition filed by a company official on behalf of workers of
American Greetings Corp., Bardstown, Kentucky. The workers at the
subject firm produce greeting cards; they are not separately
identifiable by product line.
The investigation revealed that employment at the subject firm
decreased from January through April 2003 to January through April
2004.
The investigation revealed that the subject firm shifted some
of its greeting cards production from Bardstown, Kentucky to China.
Moreover, the investigation revealed that company imports of
greeting cards are likely to increase.
In addition, in accordance with Section 246 the Trade Act of
1974 (26 USC 2813), as amended, the Department of Labor herein
presents the results of its investigation regarding certification
of eligibility to apply for alternative trade adjustment assistance
(ATAA) for older workers.
The group eligibility criteria for the ATAA program

that the Department must consider under Section 246 of the

Trade Act are:
1. Whether a significant number of workers in the
workers' firm are 50 years of age or older.
2. Whether the workers in the workers' firm possess skills
that are not easily transferable.
3. The competitive conditions within the workers' industry
(i.e., conditions within the industry are adverse).
The Department has determined that criterion 2 has not been
met.
The investigation revealed workers in the workers' facility
possess skills that are easily transferable.
Conclusion
After careful review of the facts obtained in the
investigation, I determine that that there was a shift in
production from the subject firm to a foreign country of articles
that are like or directly competitive with those produced by the
subject firm, and there has been or is likely to be an increase in
imports of like or directly competitive articles. In accordance
with the provisions of the Act, I make the following certification:
"All workers of American Greetings Corp., Bardstown, Kentucky
who became totally or partially separated from employment on
or after May 24, 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
I further determine that all workers of American Greetings
Corp., Bardstown, Kentucky are denied eligibility to apply for
alternative trade adjustment assistance under Section 246 of the
Trade Act of 1974.
Signed in Washington, D. C. this 16th day of June 2004.
/s/ Linda G. Poole

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