TAA Decision 63700
Note: Determinations for this case number, this case number with an alphabetic suffix, and any appeals or amendments appear below.
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR Employment and Training Administration TA-W-63,700 NEWPAGE CORPORATION KIMBERLY MILL FKA STORA ENSO NORTH AMERICA KIMBERLY MILL KIMBERLY, WISCONSIN 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 July 16, 2008 in response to a petition filed by a company official on behalf of workers of NewPage Corporation, Kimberly Mill, formerly known as Stora Enso, Kimberly Mill, Kimberly, Wisconsin. Workers at the subject firm manufacture coated woodfree printing paper. The investigation revealed that employment declined from 2006 to 2007. Furthermore, employment, sales and production declined absolutely in August 2008. The United States Department of Labor surveyed the subject firm's major declining customers regarding their purchases of coated woodfree printing paper in 2006, 2007, January through June 2007 and January through June 2008. The survey revealed increases in imports of coated woodfree printing paper during the period under investigation. 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 coated woodfree printing paper manufactured by NewPage Corporation, Kimberly Mill, fka Stora Enso, Kimberly Mill, Kimberly, Wisconsin, 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 NewPage Corporation, Kimberly Mill, fka Stora Enso, Kimberly Mill, Kimberly, Wisconsin who became totally or partially separated from employment on or after July 7, 2007 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 22nd day of August 2008 /s/ Elliott S. Kushner _____________________________ ELLIOTT S. KUSHNER Certifying Officer, Division of Trade Adjustment Assistance