DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-59,472

GRAFTECH INTERNATIONAL
UCAR CARBON COMPANY
CARBON ELECTRODE DIVISION
COLUMBIA, TENNESSEE

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 May 24, 2006 in response to
a petition filed by the International Union of Operating Engineers,
Local 912 on behalf of workers at Graftech International, UCAR
Carbon Company, Carbon Electrode Division, Columbia, Tennessee.
The workers at the subject firm produce carbon electrodes and
refractory products; they are not separately identifiable by
articles produced.
The investigation revealed that sales, production and
employment at the subject firm decreased during the period of
January through March 2006 over the corresponding 2005 period.
The Department of Labor surveyed the subject firm's major
customers regarding their purchases of carbon electrodes and
refractory products. The survey revealed an increased reliance on
imports by the subject firm's major customer of carbon electrodes
and refractory products during the relevant period.
In addition, in accordance with Section 246 of 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 an increase in imports of articles
like or directly competitive with carbon electrodes and refractory
products produced at the subject firm 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 Graftech International, UCAR Carbon Company,
Carbon Electrode Division, Columbia, Tennessee, who became
totally or partially separated from employment on or after May
19, 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 July 2006.




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