DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-56,363

OCCIDENTAL CHEMICAL CORPORATION
POTTSTOWN, PENNSYLVANIA

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), as amended, the Department of Labor herein presents the
results of an investigation regarding certification of eligibility
to apply for worker adjustment assistance as a secondarily affected
worker group.
In order to make an affirmative determination and issue a
certification of eligibility for secondary workers to apply for
Trade Adjustment Assistance, the group eligibility requirements of
paragraph (b) of Section 222 of the Trade Act, as amended, must be
met. It is determined in this case that the requirements of (b) of
Section 222, as amended, have been met.
The investigation was initiated on in response to a petition
received on January 19, 2005 in response to a petition filed by the
United Steelworkers of America Local 9455-6 on behalf of workers of
Occidental Chemical Corporation, Pottstown, Pennsylvania. The
workers produce polyvinyl chloride resins.
The investigation revealed that Occidental Chemical
Corporation, Pottstown, Pennsylvania supplies components for
vinyl flooring and a loss of business with a manufacturer of the
flooring whose workers were certified eligible to apply for
adjustment assistance contributed importantly to the separation
or threat of separation of workers at Occidental Chemical
Corporation, Pottstown, Pennsylvania.
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 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 workers of Occidental Chemical
Corporation, Pottstown, Pennsylvania qualify as adversely affected
secondary workers under Section 222 of the Trade Act of 1974, as
amended. In accordance with the provisions of the Act, I make the
following certification:


"All workers of Occidental Chemical Corporation, Pottstown,
Pennsylvania who became totally or partially separated from
employment on or after January 18, 2004, 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 at Washington, D.C., this 8th day of February 2005.

/s/ Richard Church
__
RICHARD CHURCH
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance