TAW-72647 / Graphic Packaging International, Inc. (Wellsburg, WV)
Petitioner Type: Union
Impact Date: 10/21/2008
Filed Date: 10/22/2009
Most Recent Update: 07/08/2010
Determination Date: 07/08/2010
Expiration Date: 07/08/2012
Employment and Training Administration
TA-W-72,647
GRAPHIC PACKAGING INTERNATIONAL, INC.
A SUBSIDIARY OF GRAPHIC PACKAGING HOLDING COMPANY
FLEXIBLE/MULTIWALL BAG DIVISION
WELLSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA
Certification Regarding Eligibility
To Apply for Worker Adjustment Assistance
In accordance with Section 223 of the Trade Act of 1974, as
amended ("Act"), 19 U.S.C. § 2273, the Department of Labor
herein presents the results of an investigation regarding
certification of eligibility to apply for worker adjustment
assistance.
The group eligibility requirements for workers of a Firm
under Section 222(a) of the Act, 19 U.S.C. § 2272(a), are
satisfied if the following criteria are met:
(1) a significant number or proportion of the workers in such
workers' firm have become totally or partially separated, or
are threatened to become totally or partially separated; and
(2)(A)(i) the sales or production, or both, of such firm have
decreased absolutely; and
(ii)(I) imports of articles or services like or directly
competitive with articles produced or services supplied by
such firm have increased; and
(iii) the increase in imports described in clause (ii)
contributed importantly to such workers' separation or
threat of separation and to the decline in the sales or
production of such firm.
The investigation was initiated in response to a petition
filed on October 22, 2009, on behalf of workers of Graphic
Packaging International, Inc., a subsidiary of Graphic Packaging
Holding Company, Flexible/Multiwall Division, Wellsburg, West
Virginia. The workers produce multiwall bags.
The investigation revealed that workers of Graphic
Packaging International who are engaged in employment related to
production of multiwall bags meet the criteria for
certification.
Section 222(a)(1) has been met because a significant
proportion of workers have been separated.
Section 222(a)(2)(A)(i) has been met because the sales
and/or production of multiwall bags have decreased.
Section 222(a)(2)(A)(ii) has been met because customer
reliance on imports of articles like or directly competitive
with the multiwall bags produced by Graphic Packaging
International has increased.
Finally, Section 222(a)(2)(A)(iii) has been met because
the increased reliance on imports contributed importantly to
worker separations and sales/production declines at Graphic
Packaging International.
Conclusion
After careful review of the facts obtained in the
investigation, I determine that workers of Graphic Packaging
International, Inc., a subsidiary of Graphic Packaging Holding
Company, Flexible/Multiwall Division, Wellsburg, West Virginia,
who are engaged in employment related to production of multiwall
bags meet the worker group certification criteria under Section
222(a) of the Act, 19 U.S.C. § 2272(a). In accordance with
Section 223 of the Act, 19 U.S.C. § 2273, I make the following
certification:
"All workers of Graphic Packaging International, Inc., a
subsidiary of Graphic Packaging Holding Company,
Flexible/Multiwall Division, Wellsburg, West Virginia, who
became totally or partially separated from employment on or
after October 21, 2008, through two years from the date of
certification, and all workers in the group threatened with
total or partial separation from employment on the date of
certification through two years from the date of
certification, are eligible to apply for adjustment
assistance under Chapter 2 of Title II of the Trade Act of
1974, as amended."
Signed in Washington, D.C., this 8th day of July, 2010
/s/Michael W. Jaffe
______________________________
MICHAEL W. JAFFE
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance