DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-58,193

GOODMAN VENEER AND LUMBER
A SUBSIDIARY OF BESSE FOREST PRODUCTS, INC.
GOODMAN, WISCONSIN

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), 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 October 24, 2005 in
response to a petition filed on behalf of workers at Goodman Veneer
and Lumber, a subsidiary of Besse Forest Products, Inc., Goodman,
Wisconsin. The workers produce hardwood veneer and are separately
identifiable from those producing other articles at the plant.
The investigation revealed that the sales and production at
the subject firm declined from 2003 to 2004 and during January
through September 2005 when compared to the same period of 2004.
The investigation revealed that employment at the subject firm
declined from 2003 to 2004 and during the period of January through
September 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 hardwood veneer.
The survey revealed increased imports of hardwood veneer 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.
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 investigation revealed that workers in the workers' firm
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 hardwood veneer produced by
Goodman Veneer and Lumber, a subsidiary of Besse Forest Products,
Inc., Goodman, Wisconsin, 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
"Workers of Goodman Veneer and Lumber, a subsidiary of Besse
Forest Products, Inc., Goodman, Wisconsin, engaged in the
production of hardwood veneer, who became totally or partially
separated from employment on or after October 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;” and
I further determine that workers of Goodman Veneer and Lumber,
a subsidiary of Besse Forest Products, Inc., Goodman, Wisconsin,
engaged in the production of hardwood veneer are denied eligibility
to apply for alternative trade adjustment assistance under Section
246 of the Trade Act of 1974.
Signed in Washington, D.C., this 6th day of December 2005.
/s/ Linda G. Poole
_____________________________
LINDA G. POOLE
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance