[Federal Register: February 7, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 24)]
[Notices]               
[Page 6455-6456]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr07fe05-91]                         

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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

[TA-W-55,518]

 
BASF Corporation, Freeport, TX; Notice of Revised Determination 
on Reconsideration

    On January 12, 2005, the Department of Labor issued a Notice of 
Affirmative Determination Regarding Application for Reconsideration 
applicable to the subject firm. The Notice will soon be published in 
the Federal Register.
    The initial investigation found that workers are separately 
identifiable by product line (polycaprolactum, oxo, diols, and acrylic 
monomers), that polycaprolactum, oxo and diol production increased 
during the relevant period, and that the subject company neither 
increased imports of acrylic monomers during the relevant period nor 
shifted acrylic monomer production abroad.
    The petitioner asserted in the request for reconsideration that the 
worker

[[Page 6456]]

separations at the subject firm were the result of a shift of 
production of acrylic monomers to China.
    During the reconsideration investigation, it was found that workers 
are not separately identifiable by product line and that acrylic 
monomer production declined during the relevant period.
    New information provided by the subject company revealed that 
company imports of acrylic monomer increased after the company shifted 
acrylic monomer production to China in 2004.
    The investigation also revealed that all criteria have been met in 
regard to alternative trade adjustment assistance. A significant number 
or proportion of the worker group are age fifty years or over and 
workers 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 a shift of production to China 
followed by increased imports of acrylic monomers contributed 
importantly to worker separations at the subject firm.
    In accordance with the provisions of the Act, I make the following 
certification:

    All workers of BASF Corporation, Freeport, Texas, who became 
totally or partially separated from employment on or after August 
30, 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 also eligible to apply for alternative 
trade adjustment assistance under Section 246 of the Trade Act of 
1974.

    Signed in Washington, DC this 21st day of January 2005.
Elliott S. Kushner,
Certifying Officer, Division of Trade Adjustment Assistance.
 [FR Doc. E5-459 Filed 2-4-05; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4510-30-P