DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-41,276

GBC OFFICE PRODUCTS GROUP
ASHLAND, MISSISSIPPI

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
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. 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 April 8, 2002, and filed on behalf of workers at GBC
Office Products Group, Ashland, Mississippi. The workers produce
visual communication products.


The investigation revealed that sales, production, and
employment at the subject firm declined in the first-quarter of
2002 compared with the same period in 2001. The investigation
further revealed that the subject firm increased its imports of
visual communication products during the same relevant period.

Conclusion
After careful review of the facts obtained in the investiga-
tion, I conclude that increases of imports of articles like or
directly competitive with the visual communication products
produced at GBC Office Products Group, Ashland, Mississippi,
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 Act, I make the following
certification:
"All workers of GBC Office Products Group, Ashland,
Mississippi, who became totally or partially separated from
employment on or after March 6, 2001, 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 27th day of June, 2002.



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