DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-54,172

WCI STEEL, INC.
A WHOLLY-OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF THE RENCO GROUP
WARREN, OHIO

Certification Regarding Eligibility
To Apply for Worker Adjustment Assistance and
Alternative Trade 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 February 5, 2004, in
response to a petition filed by a company official on behalf of
workers of WCI Steel, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Renco
Group, Warren, Ohio. The workers at the subject firm produce flat
rolled steel. The workers are not separately identifiable by
product.
Workers of the subject firm were previously certified for
adjustment assistance under petition number TA-W-38,839, which
expired April 5, 2003.
The investigation revealed that the subject firm shut down its
silicon electrical steel line on January 31, 2004.
Furthermore the investigation revealed a decrease in
employment from 2002 to January 2004.
The Department of Labor surveyed the subject firm's major
declining customers regarding their purchases of silicon electrical
steel. This survey revealed significant and increasing imports
during the period under investigation.
In accordance with Section 246 the Trade Act of 1974 (26 USC
2813), as amended, the Department of Labor herein presents the
results of its investigation regarding certification of eligibility
to apply for alternative trade adjustment assistance (ATAA) for
older workers.
In order for the Department to issue a certification of
eligibility to apply for ATAA, the group eligibility requirements
of Section 246 of the Trade Act must be met. The Department has
determined in this case that the requirements of Section 246 have
been met.
A significant number of workers at the firm are age 50 or over
and possess skills that are not easily transferable. Competitive
conditions within the industry are adverse.


Conclusion
After careful review of the facts obtained in the
investigation, I determine that increases of imports of articles
like or directly competitive with those produced at the subject
firm contributed importantly to the total or partial separation of
workers and to the decline in sales or production at that firm or
subdivision.
In accordance with the provisions of the Act, I make the
following certification:
"All workers of WCI Steel, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of
the Renco Group, Warren, Ohio, who became totally or partially
separated from employment on or after April 6, 2003, through
two years from the date of 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, D.C., this 15th day of March 2004.

/s/ Linda G. Poole

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