DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-52,242

LOUISIANA PACIFIC CORPORATION
BELGRADE, MONTANA

Certification Regarding Eligibility to Apply for
Alternative Trade Adjustment Assistance

The Department adopted a new interpretation regarding the
Alternative Trade Adjustment Assistance (ATAA) program in order to
provide equitable access to ATAA for worker groups whose petitions
were still in process at the time of implementation of the ATAA
program on August 6, 2003. Under this new interpretation, worker
groups covered by the certification of a petition that was in
process on August 6, 2003 may request ATAA consideration for the
certified worker group. In addition, certified worker groups who
filed petitions after that date may also request ATAA if the
petition did not include an option to apply for ATAA. The request
must be made to the Department and may be made by anyone who was
entitled to file the original petition under section 221(a)(1) of
the Act.
By letter dated April 6, 2005, a company official, requested
ATAA consideration for workers at the subject firm located in
Belgrade, Montana.
In order for the Department to issue a certification of
eligibility to apply for ATAA, the group eligibility requirements
of Section 246(a)(3)(A) of the Trade Act must be met. The
Department has determined in this case that the requirements have
been met.
The investigation revealed that the subject worker group
possesses skills that are not easily transferable in the local
area, and that at least five percent of the workforce at the
subject firm is at least fifty years of age. Industry data show
that competitive conditions within the sawmill products industry
are adverse.
Conclusion
After careful review of the facts obtained on investigation, I
conclude that the requirements of Section 246(a)(3)(A) of the Trade
Act of 1974, as amended, have been met for workers at the subject
firm.
In accordance with the provisions of the Act, I make the
following certification:
"All workers of Louisiana Pacific Corporation, Belgrade,
Montana who became totally or partially separated from
employment on or after July 7, 2002 through August 22, 2005
are eligible to apply for alternative trade adjustment
assistance under Section 246 of the Trade Act of 1974, as
amended.”
Signed in Washington, D.C., this 2nd day of June 2005

/s/ Linda G. Poole

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


DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-52,242

LOUISIANA PACIFIC CORPORATION
BELGRADE, MONTANA

Certification Regarding Eligibility
To Apply for Worker Adjustment Assistance

In accordance with Section 223 of the Trade Act of 1974 (19
USC 2273), 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 on July 8, 2003, in response
to a petition filed by a company official on behalf of workers of
Louisiana Pacific Corporation, Belgrade, Montana. The workers at
the subject facility produced softwood dimensional lumber.
The investigation revealed that sales and production at the
subject facility declined absolutely when the subject facility
ceased production on July 20, 2003.
Employment declined absolutely when the facility ceased
production on July 20, 2003.

The Department of Labor surveyed the subject facility’s major
declining customers regarding their purchases of softwood
dimensional lumber. This survey revealed increases in imports of
softwood dimensional lumber during the period January through June
2003.



Conclusion
After careful review of the facts obtained in the
investigation, I determine that increases of imports of articles
like or directly competitive with softwood dimensional lumber
produced at Louisiana Pacific Corporation, Belgrade, Montana
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 Louisiana Pacific Corporation, Belgrade,
Montana who became totally or partially separated from
employment on or after July 7, 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 22nd day of August 2003.



/s/ Linda G. Poole
______________________________
LINDA G. POOLE
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance



May want to list the specific citation to the group eligibility requirements.
May want to list the specific citation to the group eligibility requirements.