[Federal Register: November 30, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 229)]
[Notices]               
[Page 69629-69630]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr30no04-81]                         

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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

[TA-W-54,982]

 
Fort Hill Lumber Company Including Leased Workers of Express 
Personnel Services/Brown & Dutton, Grand Ronde, OR; Notice of Revised 
Determination on Reopening

    The Department on its own motion reopened the Department's Negative 
Determination Regarding Eligibility to Apply for Worker Adjustment 
Assistance, applicable to the workers of the subject firm.
    The initial investigation resulted in a negative determination 
signed on July 29, 2004 was based on the finding that imports of 
various solid wood products, such as dimensional lumber did not 
contribute importantly to worker separations at the subject plant and 
no shift of production to a foreign source occurred. The denial notice 
was published in the Federal Register on August 20, 2004 (69 FR 51715).

[[Page 69630]]

    After the negative determination was issued the Department received 
additional results of the survey of one of the subject firm's major 
customers. The survey was initiated but not completed during the 
original investigation. Upon further review and contact with this 
customer, it was revealed that the customer significantly increased its 
import purchases of various solid wood products while decreasing its 
purchases from the subject firm during the relevant period. The imports 
accounted for a meaningful portion of the subject plant's lost sales 
and production.
    In accordance with Section 246 the Trade Act of 1974 (26 U.S.C. 
2813), as amended, the Department of Labor herein presents the results 
of its investigation regarding certification of eligibility to apply 
for alternative trade adjustment assistance (ATAA) for older workers.
    In order for the Department to issue a certification of eligibility 
to apply for ATAA, the group eligibility requirements of Section 246 of 
the Trade Act must be met. The Department has determined in this case 
that the requirements of Section 246 have been met.
    A significant number of workers at the firm are age 50 or over and 
possess skills that are not easily transferable. Competitive conditions 
within the industry are adverse.

Conclusion

    After careful review of the additional facts obtained on 
reconsideration, I conclude that increased imports of articles like or 
directly competitive with those produced at Fort Hill Lumber Company, 
Grande Ronde, Oregon contributed importantly to the declines in sales 
or production and to the total or partial separation of workers at the 
subject firm. In accordance with the provisions of the Act, I make the 
following certification:

    ``All workers of Fort Hill Lumber Company, Including leased 
workers of Express Personnel Services/Brown & Dutton, Grand Ronde, 
Oregon who became totally or partially separated from employment on 
or after May 20, 2003 through two years from the date of this 
certification, are eligible to apply for adjustment assistance under 
Section 223 of the Trade Act of 1974, and are eligible to apply for 
alternative trade adjustment assistance under Section 246 of the 
Trade Act of 1974.''

    Signed in Washington, DC, this 9th day of November 2004.
Elliott S. Kushner,
Certifying Officer, Division of Trade Adjustment Assistance.
[FR Doc. E4-3364 Filed 11-29-04; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4510-30-P