DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-42,272

MOUNTAIN FIR CHIP CO.
MAIN OFFICE
SALEM, OREGON

TA-W-42,272A

MOUNTAIN FIR CHIP CO.
THE DALLES DIVISION
THE DALLES, OREGON

TA-W-42,272B

MOUNTAIN FIR CHIP CO.
LEWISTON DIVISION
LEWISTON, IDAHO

TA-W-42,272C

MOUNTAIN FIR CHIP CO.
WILMA DIVISION
CLARKSTON, WASHINGTON

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 October 21, 2002 in
response to a petition filed on behalf of workers at Mountain Fir
Chip Co., Main Office, Salem, Oregon (TA-W-42,272), Mountain Fir
Chip Co., The Dalles Division, The Dalles, Oregon (TA-W-42,272A),
Mountain Fir Chip Co., Lewiston Division, Lewiston, Idaho (TA-W-
42,272B), Mountain Fir Chip Co., Wilma Division, Clarkston,
Washington (TA-W-42,272C). Workers at the Lewiston, The Dalles,
and Wilma divisions produced wood chips, while workers at the Main
Office supported the production process through administration.
Production at the Lewiston plant ceased on or before May 1, 2002,
production at The Dalles plant ceased on or before August 3, 2002.
The investigation revealed that criterion (3) has not been
met.


The investigation revealed that the subject firm did not
import wood chips in 2000, 2001 or 2002.
The Department of Labor surveyed the subject firm's major
declining customer regarding its purchases of wood chips. This
survey revealed no imports of wood chips during the period under
investigation.
A petition for eligibility to apply for NAFTA-Transitional
Adjustment Assistance has been filed on behalf of workers at the
subject firm (NAFTA-7610).
Conclusion
After careful review, I determine that all workers at Mountain
Fir Chip Co., Main Office, Salem, Oregon (TA-W-42,272), Mountain
Fir Chip Co., The Dalles Division, The Dalles, Oregon (TA-W-
42,272A), Mountain Fir Chip Co., Lewiston Division, Lewiston, Idaho
(TA-W-42,272B), Mountain Fir Chip Co., Wilma Division, Clarkston,
Washington (TA-W-42,272C) are denied eligibility to apply for
adjustment assistance under Section 223 of the Trade Act of 1974.
Signed in Washington, D.C. this 5th day of November, 2002.

/s/ Linda G. Poole

______________________________
LINDA G. POOLE
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance