DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-41,911

SAPPI FINE PAPER MILL
NORTH AMERICA
MUSKEGON, MICHIGAN

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 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. It is determined in this case that all of the
requirements have been met.
The investigation was initiated on August 5, 2002 in
response to a petition filed by a company official and the PACE
International Union, Local 1015 on behalf of workers at Sappi
Fine Paper Mill, North America, Muskegon, Michigan. The workers
produced fine coated paper used in commercial printing.
The investigation revealed that production and employment
at the subject firm declined in 2001 compared to 2000 and further
declined in the period January through June 2002 over the
corresponding 2001 period.
The investigation further revealed that the company
increased their imports of fine coated paper during the relevant
period.
Conclusion
After careful review of the facts obtained in the investi-
gation, I conclude that increases of imports of articles like
or directly competitive with fine coated paper produced at Sappi
Fine Paper Mill, North America, Muskegon, Michigan, contributed
importantly to the decline in sales or production and to the
total or partial separation of workers of that firm. In accor-
dance with the provisions of the Act, I make the following
certification:
"All workers of Sappi Fine Paper Mill, North America,
Muskegon, Michigan, who became totally or partially sepa-
rated from employment on or after March 26, 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 in Washington, D. C. this 13th day of September, 2002.


Elliott S. Kushner
___________________________
ELLIOTT S. KUSHNER
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance