DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-62,362

MW CUSTOM PAPERS, LLC
LAUREL MILL
A SUBSIDIARY OF MEADWESTVACO CORPORATION
SOUTH LEE, MASSACHUSETTS

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 October 26, 2007 in
response to a petition filed by a company official on behalf of
workers at MW Custom Papers, LLC, Laurel Mill, a subsidiary of
Meadwestvaco Corporation, South Lee, Massachusetts. The workers at
the subject firm produce wear resistant overlay paper, blood filter
paper, décor paper, gatorfoam paper. The workers are not
separately identifiable by product.
The investigation revealed that production and employment
declined at the Laurel Mill when production ceased on December 1,
2007.
The Department of Labor surveyed the subject firm's major
declining customer(s) regarding their purchases of wear resistant
overlay paper and décor paper during 2005, 2006 and January through
September 2007 over the corresponding 2006 period. The survey
revealed increased reliance on import purchases of both products
during the period under investigation.
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 wear resistant overlay paper and
décor paper produced by MD Custom Papers, LLC, Laurel Mill, a
subsidiary of Meadwestvaco Corporation, South Lee, Massachusetts,
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 MW Custom Papers, LLC, Laurel Mill, a
subsidiary of Meadwestvaco Corporation, South Lee,
Massachusetts, who became totally or partially separated from
employment on or after October 24, 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 12th day of December 2007


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