DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-41,205

SONOCO PRODUCTS, INC.
MASSILLON, OHIO

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 April 1, 2002 in response
to a petition filed on behalf of workers at Sonoco Products, Inc.,
Massillon, Ohio. The workers produce composite cans.
The investigation revealed that criterion (3) has not been
met.


The investigation revealed that the subject firm did not
import composite cans during 2000, 2001, or the first two months of
2002.
Moreover, the investigation revealed that all sales to the
largest declining customer were for export; thus, imports were not
a factor. A second major declining customer did not import
composite cans during the period under investigation.
Conclusion
After careful review, I determine that all workers at Sonoco
Products, Inc., Massillon, Ohio engaged in employment related to
the production of composite cans, are denied eligibility to apply
for adjustment assistance under Section 223 of the Trade Act of
1974.
Signed in Washington, D.C. this 2nd day of May, 2002.



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