DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-39,834

WESTVACO CORPORATION
FLEXIBLE PACKAGING PLANT
A DIVISON OF MEADWESTVACO
SPRINGFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS

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
eligibility 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 separated;

(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 August 13, 2001 in response
to a petition filed on behalf of workers at Westvaco Corporation,
Flexible Packaging Plant, Springfield, Massachusetts. The workers
produce P-6 and trap (components inside film packaging used for
absorption), cellophane bags (for cookies), and printed
polyethylene film products.
The investigation revealed that criterion (3) has not been
met.


The investigation revealed that the subject firm did not
import P-6 and trap (components inside film packaging used for
absorption), cellophane bags (for cookies), and printed
polyethylene film products during the relevant period.
The Department surveyed the subject firm's major customers
regarding their purchases of P-6 and trap (components inside film
packaging used for absorption), cellophane bags (for cookies), and
printed polyethylene film in 1999, 2000, and January through July
2000 and 2001. The survey revealed that none of the customers
purchased imports in the relevant period of time.
Conclusion
After careful review, I determine that all workers at Westvaco
Corporation, Flexible Packaging Plant, Springfield, Massachusetts
engaged in employment related to the production of P-6 and trap
(components inside film packaging used for absorption), cellophane
bags (for cookies), and printed polyethylene film products, are
denied eligibility to apply for adjustment assistance under Section
223 of the Trade Act of 1974.
Signed in Washington, D.C. this 22nd day of May, 2002.

/s/ Linda G. Poole
______________________________
LINDA G. POOLE
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance