DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-64,922

INTERNATIONAL STAPLE & MACHINE CO.
BUTLER, PENNSYLVANIA

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 21, 2009 in response
to a petition filed by the United Steelworkers, Local 8042-3 on behalf
of workers of International Staple & Machine Co., Butler,
Pennsylvania. The workers produce staples used for closing cardboard
cartons.
Workers at the subject firm were certified eligible to apply for
adjustment assistance on January 17, 2007 (TA-W-60,644). That
certification expired on January 17, 2009.
The investigation revealed that sales, production, and employment
at the subject firm declined from 2007 to 2008, and are continuing
their declines in 2009.
The investigation also revealed that the subject firm increased
its reliance on company imports of products like those manufactured at
the Butler facility in the above periods. The increased reliance on
imports contributed importantly to the declines in production and
employment at the plant.
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 staples produced at International Staple & Machine
Co., Butler, Pennsylvania, 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 International Staple & Machine Co., Butler,
Pennsylvania who became totally or partially separated from
employment on or after January 18, 2009 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 10th day of February 2009

/s/ Richard Church

______________________________
RICHARD CHURCH
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance