DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Employment and Training Administration
TA-W-54,797

AMERICAN FIRELOG CORP. OF OHIO
AKRON, 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, 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 April 28, 2004, in response
to a petition filed on behalf of workers of American Firelog Corp.
of Ohio, Akron, Ohio. The workers at the subject facility produced
firelogs and starter logs; workers are not separately identifiable
by product line.
The investigation revealed that employment at the subject
facility decreased absolutely with its closure on April 16, 2004.
Furthermore, the investigation revealed that the production of
firelogs and starter logs at the subject facility shifted from
Akron, Ohio to a country (Canada) that is a party to a free trade
agreement with the United States.
In addition, 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 do not possess skills that are 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 those produced at the subject division
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 American Firelog Corp. of Ohio, Akron, Ohio
who became totally or partially separated from employment on
or after April 21, 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 2nd day of June 2004.


/s/ Linda G. Poole


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