DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-38,089

FEDERAL BAG CO., INC.
ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI

Certification Regarding Eligibility
To Apply for Worker Adjustment Assistance

In accordance with Section 223 of the Trade Act of 1974 (19
USC 2273) as amended by the Omnibus Trade and Competitiveness Act
of 1988 (P. L. 100-418), the Department of Labor herein presents
the results of an investigation regarding certification of eligi-
bility to apply for worker adjustment assistance.
In order to make an affirmative determination and issue a
certification of eligibility to apply for adjustment assistance
each of the group eligibility requirements of Section 222 of the
Act must be met. It is determined in this case that all of the
requirements have been met.
The investigation was initiated in response to a petition
received on September 18, 2000, filed by the company on behalf of
its workers at Federal Bag Co., Inc., St. Louis, Missouri. Work-
ers were engaged in employment related to the production of
fabric back packs and similar bags.
The investigation revealed that sales and employment at the
subject firm declined in 1999 compared with 1998, and declined in
January-August 2000 compared with the same period in 1999.
The U.S. Department of Labor conducted a survey of major
declining customers of the subject firm concerning their pur-
chases of fabric back packs and similar bags in 1998, 1999, and
January-September 2000. The survey revealed that the res-
pondents reported increasing their imports of fabric packs and
bags in January-September 2000 compared with the same period in
1999, while decreasing their purchases from the subject firm.
Conclusion
After careful review of the facts obtained in the investi-
gation, I conclude that increases of imports of articles like or
directly competitive with fabric packs and bags produced at
Federal Bag Co., Inc., St. Louis, Missouri, contributed
importantly to the decline in sales or production and to the
total or partial separation of workers of that firm.
In accordance with the provisions of the Trade Act, I make
the following certification:
"All workers of Federal Bag Co., Inc., St. Louis, Missouri,
who became totally or partially separated from employment on
or after September 5, 1999, through two years from the date
of certification, are eligible to apply for adjustment
assistance under Section 223 of the Trade Act of 1974."
Signed at Washington, D.C., this 5th day of December, 2000.
/s/ Linda G. Poole
______________________________
LINDA G. POOLE
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance