Certified
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TAW-59346  /  Sonoco Products Co. (Charlotte, NC)

Petitioner Type: Company
Impact Date: 05/05/2005
Filed Date: 05/08/2006
Most Recent Update: 05/25/2006
Determination Date: 05/25/2006
Expiration Date: 05/25/2008

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-59,346

SONOCO PRODUCTS COMPANY
FLEXIBLE PACKAGING DIVISION
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA

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, as
amended (19 USC 2273), the Department of Labor herein presents
the results of an 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)(B) of Section 222 have been met.
The investigation was initiated on May 8, 2006, in response
to a petition filed by a company official on behalf of workers
of Sonoco Products Company, Charlotte Flexibles Plant,
Charlotte, North Carolina. The investigation revealed that the
official name of the subject firm under investigation is Sonoco
Products Company, Flexible Packaging Division, Charlotte, North
Carolina. The workers at the subject firm produce flexible
packaging.
The investigation revealed that the preponderance in the
declines in employment at the subject firm is related to a shift
in production of flexible packaging, to Canada, a country that
is party to a free trade agreement with the United States.
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.
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 firm are age 50 or
over 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 conclude that there has been a shift in
production from Sonoco Products Company, Flexible Packaging
Division, Charlotte, North Carolina to Mexico of articles that
are like or directly competitive with flexible packaging
produced by that firm or subdivision. In accordance with the
provisions of the Act, I make the following certification:
"All workers of Sonoco Products Company, Flexible Packaging
Division, Charlotte, North Carolina who became totally or
partially separated from employment on or after May 5,
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, 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 25th day of May, 2006.

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