DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-63,488

SCHWEITZER-MAUDUIT INTERNATIONAL, INC.
LEE MILLS DIVISION
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 June 5, 2008 in
response to a petition filed by a company official on behalf of
workers of Schweitzer-Mauduit International, Inc., Lee Mills
Division, Lee, Massachusetts. Workers at the subject firm
manufacture specialty papers for the tobacco industry such as
cigarette tipping and cigarette plug wrap.
Workers at the subject firm are certified eligible to apply
for adjustment assistance, TA-W-59,638, which expires on August
4, 2008.
The investigation revealed that the subject firm ceased
production of specialty papers at the Lee Mills Division in Lee,
Massachusetts in the second quarter of 2007.
Employment at the subject firm declined from 2006 to 2007
and in January through May 2008 when compared with the
corresponding 2007 period. The subject firm has retained some
workers to complete remaining product inventory and shipping
requirements. These workers will be separated after the August
4, 2008 expiration of TA-W-59,638.
The investigation also revealed that the firm increased
imports of specialty papers from 2006 to 2007, and during the
period of January through May 2008 when compared to the same
time period in 2007.
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 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 increases of imports of articles
like or directly competitive with specialty papers such as
cigarette tipping and cigarette plug wrap produced by
Schweitzer-Mauduit International, Inc., Lee Mills Division, 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 Schweitzer-Mauduit International, Inc., Lee
Mills Division, Lee, Massachusetts, who became totally or
partially separated from employment on or after August 5,
2008, 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 26th day of June 2008
/s/ Linda G. Poole
______________________________
LINDA G. POOLE
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance