DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-57,822

RUBBERMAID HOME PRODUCTS
A DIVISION OF NEWELL RUBBERMAID
GOODYEAR, ARIZONA

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 August 24, 2005 in response
to a petition filed by an Arizona state workforce agent on behalf
of workers of Rubbermaid Home Products, a division of Newell
Rubbermaid, Goodyear, Arizona. The workers produce plastic home
storage products.
The investigation revealed that employment and sales at the
subject facility declined from 2003 to 2004, and during the period
of January through July of 2005 compared with the same period in
2004.
The Department of Labor surveyed the subject facility's major
customers regarding their purchases of plastic home storage
products during the period under investigation. The survey
revealed increased customer imports.
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 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 two has not been
met.
The investigation revealed that the workers possess skills
that are easily transferable to other positions in their 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 plastic home storage products
produced at Rubbermaid Home Products, a division of Newell
Rubbermaid, Goodyear, Arizona 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 Rubbermaid Home Products, a division of Newell
Rubbermaid, Goodyear, Arizona who became totally or partially
separated from employment on or after August 19, 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 Rubbermaid Home
Products, a division of Newell Rubbermaid, Goodyear, Arizona
are denied eligibility to apply for alternative trade adjust-
ment assistance under Section 246 of the Trade Act of 1974.
Signed in Washington, D. C. this 5th day of October 2005
/s/ Richard Church
______________________________
RICHARD CHURCH
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance