DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-41,348

S.D. WARREN COMPANY
d/b/a SAPPI FINE PAPER NORTH AMERICA
SOMERSET OPERATIONS
SKOWHEGAN, MAINE

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 22, 2002, in
response to a petition filed jointly by P.A.C.E. Local 1-9,
I.A.M. Local 2740, and by the company on behalf of workers at
S.D. Warren Company, d/b/a Sappi Fine Paper North America,
Somerset Operations, Skowhegan, Maine. The workers produce
lightweight coated paper.
The investigation revealed that criterion (3) has not been
met.
The investigation revealed that the subject firm did not
import lightweight coated paper during the relevant period.
Therefore, the Department conducted a survey of the subject
firms' major customers regarding the purchases of lightweight
coated paper during the period under investigation. The survey
revealed no import increases of lightweight coated paper.
A petition for eligibility to apply for NAFTA-Transitional
Adjustment Assistance has been filed on behalf of workers at the
subject firm (NAFTA-5975).
Conclusion
After careful review, I determine that all workers at S.D.
Warren Company, d/b/a Sappi Fine Paper North America, Somerset
Operations, Skowhegan, Maine engaged in employment related to
the production of lightweight coated paper, are denied
eligibility to apply for adjustment assistance under Section 223
of the Trade Act of 1974.
Signed in Washington, D.C. this 6th day of June, 2002.


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