DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-60,697

ST. CROIX MANUFACTURING, LLC
INCLUDING ON-SITE LEASED WORKERS OF MASTERSONS
GRANTSBURG, WISCONSIN

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 on January 3, 2007 in response
to a petition filed on behalf of workers at St. Croix
Manufacturing, LLC, Grantsburg, Wisconsin. The workers at the
subject firm produce plastic housewares; they are not separately
identifiable by articles produced.
The investigation revealed that sales at the subject firm
decreased from 2005 to 2006.
The Department of Labor surveyed the subject firm's major
customer regarding its purchases of plastic housewares during 2005
and 2006. The survey revealed increased imports of plastic
housewares during the period under investigation.
The investigation revealed that St. Croix Manufacturing, LLC,
Grantsburg, Wisconsin also leased workers on-site from Mastersons
to produce plastic housewares.
In addition, in accordance with Section 246 of 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 possess skills that are not 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 plastic housewares produced by
the subject firm 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 St. Croix Manufacturing, LLC, including on-
site leased workers of Mastersons, Grantsburg, Wisconsin, who
became totally or partially separated from employment on or
after December 12, 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 5th day of February 2007


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