Smurfit-Stone Container Corp.; a/k/a Stone Container Corp.; El Paso, TX; Amended Certification Regarding Eligibility To Apply for NAFTA-Transitional Adjustment Assistance

In accordance with Section 250(A), Subchapter D, Chapter 2, Title II, of the Trade Act of 1974 (19 U.S.C. 2273), the Department of Labor issued a Certification for NAFTA Transitional Adjustment Assistance on January 18, 2000, applicable to workers of Smurfit-Stone Container Corp., El Paso, Texas. The notice will be published soon in the Federal Register.

At the request of the State agency, the Department reviewed the certification for workers of the subject firm. The workers are engaged in the production of non-corrugated folding boxes, a.k.a. paperboard. New information provided by the State shows that some of the claimants' wages are being reported under the Unemployment Insurance (UI) tax account for Stone Container Corp., El Paso, Texas.

The intent of the Department's certification is to include all workers of Smurfit-Stone Container Corp., who were adversely affected by increased imports.

Accordingly, the Department is amending the certification to cover the workers of Smurfit-Stone Corp., also known as Stone Container Corp., El Paso, Texas.

The amended notice applicable to NAFTA—03476 is hereby issued as follows:

“All workers of Smurfit-Stone Container Corp., also known as Stone Container Corp., El Paso, Texas who became totally or partially separated from employment on or after September 27, 1998 through January 18, 2002 are eligible to apply for NAFTA-TAA under Section 250 of the Trade Act of 1974.”