DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-57,252

BEMIS COMPANY, INC.
POLYETHYLENE PACKAGING GROUP
WEST HAZLETON, PENNSYLVANIA

Certification Regarding Eligibility
To Apply for Worker 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) (A) of Section 222 have been met.
The investigation was initiated on May 23, 2005 in response
to a petition filed by a company official on behalf of workers
of Bemis Company Inc., Polyethylene Packaging Division, West
Hazelton, Pennsylvania. The workers at the subject facility
produced bakery bags and bottled water overwrap and are not
separately identifiable.
The investigation revealed that sales and employment
declined absolutely from January to May 2005 when compared to
the same time period the previous year.
The Department of Labor surveyed the subject firm's major
declining customer regarding their purchases of bakery bags
and/or bottled water overwrap. This survey revealed increases
in imports of bakery bags during the period under
investigation.
Conclusion
After careful review of the facts obtained in the
investigation, I determine that increases of imports of articles
like or directly competitive with bakery bags produced by Bemis
Company Inc., Polyethylene Packaging Division, West Hazelton,
Pennsylvania, 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 Bemis Company Inc., Polyethylene Packaging
Division, West Hazelton, Pennsylvania, who became totally
or partially separated from employment on or after May 23,
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."
Signed in Washington, D.C., this 1st day of July, 2005.

/s/ Linda G. Poole
______________________________
LINDA G. POOLE
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance