Petitioner Type: Workers
Impact Date: 12/03/2003
Filed Date: 12/21/2004
Most Recent Update: 03/04/2005
Determination Date: 03/04/2005
Expiration Date: 03/04/2007
Employment and Training Administration
TA-W-56,236
POTLATCH CORPORATION
ADMINISTRATIVE/ACCOUNTING OFFICE
CLOQUET, MINNESOTA
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 December 21, 2004 in
response to a petition filed on behalf of workers of Potlatch
Corporation, Cloquet, Minnesota. The workers at the subject
facility performed various accounting and clerical functions.
The investigation revealed the workers in
Administrative/Accounting Office supported the production of
Oriented Stand Board (OSB) produced by the firm.
The investigation revealed that Potlatch sold the OSB
business during the period relevant to this investigation.
To determine if increased imports contributed importantly
to the worker separations at the Administrative/Accounting
Office in Cloquet, Minnesota, the Department conducted a survey
of Potlatch customers regarding their purchases of OSB during
2003 and 2004. This survey revealed increases in import
purchases of OSB during the period.
Furthermore, the value and quantity of aggregate U.S.
imports of OSB increased from 2003 to 2004.
Conclusion
After careful review of the facts obtained in the
investigation, I determine that increases of imports of articles
like or directly competitive with OSB produced by Potlatch
Corporation 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 Potlatch Corporation, Cloquet, Minnesota,
engaged in employment related to the production of OSB who
became totally or partially separated from employment on or
after December 3, 2003 through two years from the date of
certification are eligible to apply for adjustment assis-
tance under Section 223 of the Trade Act of 1974."
Signed in Washington, D. C. this 4th day of March, 2005.
/s/ Linda G. Poole
______________________________
LINDA G. POOLE
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance