DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-64,938

SONOCO PRODUCTS COMPANY
INDUSTRIAL DIVISION
ROCKTON, ILLINOIS

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 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 January 22, 2009 in
response to a petition filed on behalf of workers at Sonoco
Products Company, Industrial Division, Rockton, Illinois. Workers
produced recycled paperboard.
This investigation revealed that employment and production at
the subject firm during declined from 2007 to 2008.
The subject firm shifted a portion of production of recycled
paperboard to Canada. Canada is a party to a free trade agreement
with the United States.
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 subject facilities 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 conclude that there was a shift in production from
the workers' firm or subdivision to Canada of articles that are
like or directly competitive with those produced by the subject
firm or subdivision. In accordance with the provisions of the Act,
I make the following certification:



"All workers Sonoco Products Company, Industrial Division,
Rockton, Illinois, who became totally or partially separated from
employment on or after January 14, 2008 through two years from the
date of certification are eligible to apply for adjustment assis-
tance 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 4th day of February 2009


/s/ Richard Church

RICHARD CHURCH
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance