DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W- 40,254

GRAPHIC PACKAGING
PORTLAND, OREGON


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 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 October 22, 2001 in response to a petition filed by AWPPW Local 64, on behalf of workers at Graphic Packaging, Portland, Oregon. The workers produced folded cartons for frozen berries.

The investigation revealed that criterion (3) has not been met.
The investigation further revealed that Graphic Packaging, Portland, Oregon, closed on October 30, 2001, because production was transferred domestically to their facilities in Georgia, Tennessee and California.
A petition for NAFTA Trade Adjustment Assistance has been filed on behalf of workers at the subject firm (NAFTA 5445).
Conclusion
After careful review, I determine that all workers at Graphic Packaging, Portland, Oregon, are denied eligibility to apply for adjustment assistance under Section 223 of the Trade Act of 1974.

Signed in Washington, D.C. this 5th day of December, 2001


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