DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-58,432

R.J. REYNOLDS TOBACCO COMPANY
MACON, GEORGIA

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 November 30, 2005 and filed by a company official on
behalf of workers at R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company, Macon,
Georgia. The workers are (were) engaged in employment related to
the production of cigarettes.
The investigation revealed that employment at the Macon,
Georgia facility declined during the relevant period.



The Department of Labor recently conducted a survey of the
subject firm's major declining customers of the subject firm
regarding their purchases of cigarettes during the relevant
period. The survey revealed an increased reliance on imported
cigarettes during the relevant period.
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, Macon,
Georgia who became totally or partially separated from
employment on or after January 8, 2006 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 19th day of December, 2005.


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