DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-50,198

VAAGEN BROTHER LUMBER, INC.
REPUBLIC, WASHINGTON


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, the Department of Labor herein presents the
results of its 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 Trade Adjustment
Assistance, the group eligibility requirements in either paragraph
(a)(2)(A) or (a)(2)(B) of Section 222 of the Trade Act must be met.
It is determined in this case that the requirements of (a)(2)(A) of
Section 222 have been met.
The investigation was initiated in response to a petition
received on November 27, 2002 and filed by a company official on
behalf of workers at Vaagen Brother Lumber, Inc., Republic,
Washington. Workers at the subject facility produce dimension
lumber.
Investigative findings revealed that subject firm's sales,
production and employment declined during January through November
2002, as compared with the same time period in 2001.
The Department of Labor surveyed the subject firm's major
customer regarding their purchases of dimension lumber during 2000,
2001 and January through November 2002. The survey revealed that
customers increased their imports of dimension lumber, while
decreasing purchases from the subject firm during the period under
investigation.
Conclusion
After careful review of the facts obtained in the
investigation, I conclude that increases of imports of articles
like or directly competitive with those produced at Vaagen Brother
Lumber, Inc., Republic, Washington contributed importantly to the
total or partial separation of workers and to the decline in sales
or production and at that firm or subdivision. In accordance with
the provisions of the Act, I make the following certification:
"All workers of Vaagen Brother Lumber, Inc., Republic,
Washington who became totally or partially separated from
employment on or after November 25, 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, as amended."
Signed in Washington, D. C. this 16th day of January, 2003.



/s/Elliott S. Kushner_________
ELLIOTT S. KUSHNER
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance