DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-55,523

MEADWESTVACO CORPORATION
GARLAND, TEXAS

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, 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)(A) of
Section 222 have been met.
The investigation was initiated in response to a petition
received on August 31, 2004, and filed on behalf of workers at
MeadWestvaco Corporation, Garland, Texas. The workers produce
school and office supplies.
The investigation revealed that sales and employment declined
at the subject facility during the relevant period.
The Department of Labor conducted a survey of the subject
firm's major declining customers regarding their purchases of
school and office supplies during 2002, 2003, and January through
August 2004 over the corresponding 2003 period. The survey
revealed that a major customer had significantly increased its
purchases of imported school and office supplies, while decreasing
their purchases from the subject firm during the relevant time
period.
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 concluded that criterion 2 has not been
met. The investigation revealed that workers of the subject firm
possess skills that are easily transferable to other positions in
the local area.


Conclusion
After careful review of the facts obtained in the
investigation, I determine that increases of imports of articles
like or directly competitive with school and office supplies
produced at MeadWestvaco Corporation, Garland, Texas, 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 MeadWestvaco Corporation, Garland, Texas, who
became totally or partially separated from employment on or
after August 30, 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 MeadWestvaco
Corporation, Garland, Texas, are denied eligibility to apply for
alternative trade assistance under section 246 of the Trade Act of
1974.
Signed in Washington, D.C. this 14th day of October 2004.

/s/ Elliott S. Kushner
______________________________
ELLIOTT S. KUSHNER
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance