Petitioner Type: Union
Impact Date: 07/21/2004
Filed Date: 08/01/2005
Most Recent Update: 09/14/2005
Determination Date: 09/14/2005
Expiration Date: 09/14/2007
Employment and Training Administration
TA-W-57,655
INTERFOREST CORPORATION
DARLINGTON DIVISION
DARLINGTON, PENNSYLVANIA
Certification Regarding Eligibility
To Apply for Worker Adjustment Assistance and
Negative Determination Regarding Eligibility to Apply
For Alternative Trade 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 August 1, 2005 in
response to a petition filed by the United Steelworkers of
America on behalf of workers of Interforest Corporation,
Darlington Division, Darlington, Pennsylvania. The workers
produce wood veneer.
The investigation revealed that sales, production and
employment declined from 2003 to 2004 and during January through
July 2005 when compared to the same period in 2004.
The Department of Labor surveyed the subject firm's major
declining customers regarding their purchases of wood veneer
from foreign and domestic sources. The survey revealed that
increased import purchases and reduced purchases from the
subject firm during the relevant period.
In addition, 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.
The group eligibility criteria for the ATAA program that
the Department must consider under Section 246 of the Trade Act
are:
1. Whether a significant number of workers in the
workers' firm are 50 years of age or older.
2. Whether the workers in the workers' firm possess
skills that are not easily transferable.
3. The competitive conditions within the workers'
industry (i.e., conditions within the industry are
adverse).
The Department has determined that criterion 2 has not been
met. The workers possess skills that are easily transferable.
Conclusion
After careful review of the facts obtained in the
investigation, I determine that increases of imports of articles
like or directly competitive with those produced at the subject
firm contributed importantly to the decline in sales or
production and to the total or partial separation of workers of
that firm or subdivision. In accordance with the provisions of
the Act, I make the following certification:
"All workers of Interforest Corporation, Darlington
Division, Darlington, Pennsylvania who became totally or
partially separated from employment on or after July 21,
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."
I further determine that workers of Interforest
Corporation, Darlington Division, Darlington, Pennsylvania,
are denied eligibility to apply for alternative trade
adjustment assistance under Section 246 of the Trade Act of
1974, as amended.
Signed in Washington, D. C., this 14th day of September 2005
/s/ Linda G. Poole
______________________________
LINDA G. POOLE
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance