DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-51,245

NATIONAL REFRACTORIES AND MINERALS CORPORATION
A SUBSIDIARY OF NATIONAL REFRACTORIES HOLDING CO.
MEXICO, MISSOURI

Certification Regarding Eligibility
To Apply for Worker Adjustment Assistance

In accordance with Section 223 of the Trade Act of 1974, as
amended (19 USC 2273), 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 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)(B) of
Section 222 have been met.
The investigation was initiated on March 20, 2003 in response
to a petition filed by United Steelworkers of America on behalf of
workers at National Refractories and Minerals Corporation, a
subsidiary of National Refractories Holding Co., Mexico, Missouri.
The workers at the subject facility produced firebricks; they are
not separately identifiable by product line.
The preponderance in the declines in employment at the subject
facility is related to a shift in facility production of firebricks
to a country (Canada) that is a party to a free trade agreement
with the United States.
Conclusion
After careful review of the facts obtained in the
investigation, I conclude that there was a shift in production from
the workers' firm or subdivision to Canada of articles that are
like or directly competitive with those produced by the subject
firm or subdivision. In accordance with the provisions of the Act,
I make the following certification:
"All workers of National Refractories and Minerals
Corporation, a subsidiary of National Refractories Holding
Co., Mexico, Missouri who became totally or partially
separated from employment on or after March 16, 2002 through
two years from the date of certification are eligible to apply
for adjustment assistance under Section 223 of the Trade Act
of 1974."
Signed in Washington, D.C. this 16th day of April, 2003


/s/ Linda G. Poole

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