DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-57,809

R.J. REYNOLDS TOBACCO COMPANY
LUCKY STRIKE STORAGE FACILITY
RICHMOND, VIRGINIA

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 (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 in response to a petition
received on August 22, 2005 and filed by a company official on
behalf of workers at R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company, Lucky Strike
Storage Facility, Richmond, Virginia. The workers were engaged
in activities related to storage and shipping of raw leaf tobacco
for an affiliated plant location engaged in the production of
cigarettes.


The investigation revealed that employment at the Richmond
facility declined during the relevant period.
The investigation further revealed that R.J. Reynolds
Tobacco Company, Lucky Strike Storage Facility, Richmond,
Virginia is in support of a TAA certifiable affiliated facility.
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.
In addition, 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 subject facility are
over age 50 and do not possess skills that are easily
transferable. Competitive conditions within the industry are
adverse.






Conclusion
After careful review of the facts obtained in the
investigation, I determine that an increase in imports of
articles like or directly competitive with cigarettes produced by
R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company 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 R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company, Lucky Strike
Storage Facility, Richmond, Virginia who became totally or
partially separated from employment on or after August 8,
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, 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 27th day of September, 2005.

/s/ Elliott S. Kushner

______________________________
ELLIOTT S. KUSHNER
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance