DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-56,706

PLUS MARK, INC.
INCLUDING ON-SITE LEASED WORKERS OF STAFFMARK, INC.
FRANKLIN, TENNESSEE

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), as amended, 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 February 25, 2005, in
response to a petition filed on behalf of workers of Plus Mark,
Inc., Franklin, Tennessee. American Greetings Corporation is the
parent company of the subject firm. The subject firm also leases
workers from Staffmark, Inc. The workers produced giftwrap and
associated trims.

The investigation revealed that sales, production and
employment decreased during the relevant period.
The Department conducted a survey of the major customers of
the subject firm regarding their purchases of giftwrap and
associated trims in 2003 and 2004. The survey revealed that
respondents increased their purchases of imported giftwrap and
associated trims and while decreasing their purchases from the
subject firm during the relevant 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 determined that criterion 2 has not been
met.



The investigation revealed that the workers do possess
skills easily transferable.
Conclusion
After careful review of the facts obtained in the
investigation, I determine that increases of imports of articles
like or directly competitive with giftwrap and associated trims
produced at Plus Mark, Inc., including on-site leased workers of
Staffmark, Inc., Franklin, Tennessee 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 of Plus Mark, Inc., including on-site leased
workers of Staffmark, Inc., Franklin Tennessee who became
totally or partially separated from employment on or after
February 25, 2004 through two years from the date of
certification are eligible to apply for adjustment assistance
under Section 223 of the Trade Act of 1974."
I further determine that all workers of Plus Mark, Inc.
including on-site leased workers of Staffmark, Inc., Franklin,
Tennessee 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 5th day of April, 2005.

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