[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 142 (Tuesday, July 25, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Page 42126]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-11852]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

[TA-W-59,042]


Smart Papers; Park Falls, WI; Notice of Revised Determination on 
Reconsideration

    By letter dated June 1, 2006, Local 2-0445 USW requested 
administrative reconsideration regarding the Department's Negative 
Determination Regarding Eligibility to Apply for Worker Adjustment 
Assistance, applicable to the workers of the subject firm.
    The initial investigation resulted in a negative determination 
signed on May 16, 2006 was based on the finding that imports of 
printing paper did not contribute importantly to worker separations at 
the subject plant and no shift of production to a foreign source 
occurred. The denial notice was published in the Federal Register on 
June 9, 2006 (71 FR 33488).
    The petitioner stated that affected workers lost their jobs as a 
result of the subject firm's customers increasing imports of paper.
    The Department conducted an additional investigation to determine 
whether imports of printing paper indeed impacted production at the 
subject firm and consequently caused workers separations. Upon further 
review of the previous investigation the Department conducted a more 
extended survey of the subject firm's declining customers. The survey 
revealed that a significant number of customers increased their 
reliance on imported printing paper during the relevant period. The 
imports accounted for a meaningful portion of the subject plant's lost 
production. The investigation further revealed that production and 
employment at the subject firm declined during the relevant time 
period.
    In accordance with section 246 the Trade Act of 1974 (26 U.S.C. 
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 additional facts obtained on 
reconsideration, I conclude that increased imports of articles like or 
directly competitive with those produced at Smart Papers, Park Falls, 
Wisconsin, contributed importantly to the declines in sales or 
production and to the total or partial separation of workers at the 
subject firm. In accordance with the provisions of the Act, I make the 
following certification:

    All workers of Smart Papers, Park Falls, Wisconsin who became 
totally or partially separated from employment on or after March 14, 
2005 through two years from the date of this certification, are 
eligible to apply for adjustment assistance under section 223 of the 
Trade Act of 1974, and are eligible to apply for alternative trade 
adjustment assistance under section 246 of the Trade Act of 1974.

    Signed in Washington, DC this 11th day of July 2006.
Elliott S. Kushner,
Certifying Officer, Division of Trade Adjustment Assistance.
[FR Doc. E6-11852 Filed 7-24-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-30-P