DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-58,641

ELKEM METALS COMPANY
ELKEM CARBON KEOKUK DIVISION
KEOKUK, IOWA

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 January 17, 2006 in
response to a petition filed by the United Steelworkers of America
on behalf of workers of Elkem Metals Company, Elkem Carbon Keokuk
Division, Keokuk, Iowa. The workers manufacture calcine coal and
electrode paste. Workers are not separately identifiable by
product.
The investigation revealed that employment, sales, and
production declined at the subject firm from full year 2005, when
compared to full year 2004.
The Department of Labor surveyed the subject firm's major
declining customers regarding their purchases of calcine coal and
electrode paste in full year 2004 and full year 2005. The survey
revealed an increase in imports of calcine coal and electrode
paste during the period under investigation.
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 calcine
coal and electrode paste produced by Elkem Metals Company, Elkem
Carbon Keokuk Division, Keokuk, Iowa, 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 Elkem Metals Company, Elkem Carbon Keokuk
Division, Keokuk, Iowa, who became totally or partially
separated from employment on or after January 16, 2005 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 13th day of February 2006.

/s/ Linda G. Poole
_____________________________
LINDA G. POOLE
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance