DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-54,522

LOUIS BERKMAN, LLC
FOLLENSBEE STEEL COMPANY
SHEET METAL DIVISION
FOLLENSBEE, WEST VIRGINIA

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 March 17, 2004 in response
to a petition filed by a State agency representative on behalf of
the workers at Louis Berkman, LLC, Follensbee Steel Company, Sheet
Metal Specialty Division, Follensbee, West Virginia. The workers
of the subject firm produced safety cabinets, drums, docks and dock
parts, and utility platforms; they are not separately identifiable
by product line.


The investigation revealed that there were absolute declines
in employment at the subject subdivision from 2002 to 2003, and
during the period of January through March 2004 when compared to
the same period in 2003.
The Department of Labor surveyed the subject firm's major
declining customers regarding their purchases of safety cabinets,
drums, docks and dock parts, and utility platforms. This survey
revealed increases in imports of safety cabinets during the period
under investigation.


Conclusion
After careful review of the facts obtained in the
investigation, I determine that increases of imports of articles
like or directly competitive with the safety cabinets produced by
Louis Berkman, LLC, Follensbee Steel Company, Sheet Metal Specialty
Division, Follensbee, West Virginia, 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 Louis Berkman, LLC, Follensbee Steel Company,
Sheet Metal Specialty Division, Follensbee, West Virginia, who
became totally or partially separated from employment on or
after March 16, 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."
Signed in Washington, D. C. this 21st day of June 2004.


/s/ Linda G. Poole

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