DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-38,545

SAPPI FINE PAPER COMPANY
NORTH AMERICA
MUSKEGON, MICHIGAN

Negative Determination 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:
(1) that a significant number or proportion of the workers
in the workers' firm, or an appropriate subdivision
thereof, have become totally or partially separated, or
are threatened to become totally or partially separat-

ed;

(2) that sales or production, or both, of the firm or
subdivision have decreased absolutely; and

(3) that increases of imports of articles like or directly
competitive with articles produced by the firm or
appropriate subdivision have contributed importantly to
the separations, or threat thereof, and to the absolute
decline in sales or production.

The investigation was initiated on January 16, 2001, in
response to a petition filed by the PACE International Union,
Local-6-1015 on behalf of workers at Sappi Fine Paper Company,
North America, Muskegon, Michigan. The workers are engaged in
employment related to the production of coated paper used in
commercial printing.
The investigation revealed that criterion (3) has not been
met.
From 1999 through 2000, sales at the subject firm increased.
Sappi Fine Paper Company, North America, Muskegon, Michigan does
not import articles like or directly competitive with coated
publication paper.
The investigation revealed that employment declines are
primarily attributable to a plant reorganization.
Conclusion
After careful review, I determine that all workers of Sappi
Fine Paper Company, North America, Muskegon, Michigan are denied
eligibility to apply for adjustment assistance under Section 223
of the Trade Act of 1974.

Signed in Washington, D.C. this 27th day of February, 2001.

/s/ Linda G. Poole

______________________________
LINDA G. POOLE
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance