DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-59,968

MARYLAND PLASTICS, INC.
FEDERALSBURG, MARYLAND


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), 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 March 7, 2006 and filed by a company official on behalf
of workers of Maryland Plastic, Inc., Federalsburg, Maryland. The
workers at the subject firm produce plastic cutlery and housewares.
The investigation revealed that sales and employment declined
from 2004 to 2005 and also declined from the period of January
through February 2006 over the corresponding 2005 period. The
investigation also revealed that company imports of plastic cutlery
and housewares increased during the period under investigations.
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 criteria (2) have not

been met.
The investigation revealed workers at the subject firm posses
skills that are 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 plastic cutlery and housewares
produced by Maryland Plastic, Inc., Federalsburg, Maryland,
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 Maryland Plastic, Inc., Federalsburg,
Maryland, who became totally or partially separated from
employment on or after March 3, 2005, 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 Maryland Plastics,
Inc., Federalsburg, Maryland 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 17th day of March 2006.
/s/ Elliott S. Kushner
______________________________
ELLIOTT S. KUSHNER
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance