DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-56,758

WEYERHAEUSER
FOSTER PLYWOOD
SWEET HOME, OREGON

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 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 16, 2005, in
response to a petition filed by a company official on behalf of
workers of Weyerhaeuser, Foster Plywood, Sweet Home, Oregon.
The workers produce plywood panels.
The investigation revealed that the subject firm has
experienced declines in sales, production and employment during
the relevant period.
The investigation also revealed that major declining
customers of the subject firm have increased their reliance on
imports of plywood or oriented strand board (OSB), which is like
and directly competitive with the plywood panels produced at the
subject facility during the relevant period.
The investigation also revealed that there have been
significant increases in aggregate imports of plywood panels and
also of oriented strand board (OSB) during the relevant period.
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 plywood panels produced at
Weyerhaeuser, Foster Plywood, Sweet Home, Oregon, 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 Weyerhaeuser, Foster Plywood, Sweet Home,
Oregon, who became totally or partially separated from
employment on or after March 11, 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 in Washington, D. C. this 22nd day of March 2005.

/s/ Elliott S. Kushner
______________________________
ELLIOTT S. KUSHNER
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance