DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-93,261

UPM BLANDIN PAPER COMPANY
PAPER MACHINE 5 (PM5) DIVISION
A WHOLLY OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF UPM-KYMMENE INVESTMENT, INC.
INCLUDING ON-SITE LEASED WORKERS FROM
PERSONNEL DYNAMICS AND SPHERION
GRAND RAPIDS, MINNESOTA

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;
(2)(B)(i)(I) there has been a shift by the workers'
firm to a foreign country in the production of
articles or supply of services like or directly
competitive with those produced/supplied by the
workers' firm; OR
(II) there has been an acquisition from a
foreign country by the workers' firm of
articles/services that are like or directly
competitive with those produced/supplied by
the workers' firm; AND
(ii) the shift/acquisition must have contributed
importantly to the workers' separation or
threat of separation.

The investigation was initiated in response to a petition
filed on October 30, 2017, by a state workforce office on behalf
of workers of UPM Blandin Paper Company, Paper Machine 5 (PM5)
division, a wholly owned subsidiary of UPM-Kymmene Investment,
Inc., including on-site leased workers from Personnel Dynamics
and Spherion, Grand Rapids, Minnesota ("UPM Blandin Paper
Company"). The workers' firm is engaged in activities related
to the production of coated publication paper.
During the course of the investigation, information was
collected from the workers' firm and the petitioner.
Section 222(a)(1) has been met because 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.
Section 222(a)(2)(B) has been met because the workers'
firm has shifted to a foreign country the production of an
article like or directly competitive with the article produced
by the workers which contributed importantly to worker group
separations at UPM Blandin Paper Company.
Conclusion
After careful review of the facts obtained in the
investigation, I determine that workers of UPM Blandin Paper
Company, Paper Machine 5 (PM5) division, a wholly owned
subsidiary of UPM-Kymmene Investment, Inc., including on-site
leased workers from Personnel Dynamics and Spherion, Grand
Rapids, Minnesota, who are engaged in activities related to the
production of coated publication paper, 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 UPM Blandin Paper Company, Paper Machine 5
(PM5) division, a wholly owned subsidiary of UPM-Kymmene
Investment, Inc., including on-site leased workers from
Personnel Dynamics and Spherion, Grand Rapids, Minnesota,
who became totally or partially separated from employment
on or after October 26, 2016, 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 13th day of November 2017.

/s/Hope D. Kinglock
______________________________
HOPE D. KINGLOCK
Certifying Officer, Office of
Trade Adjustment Assistance