DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-61,898

WELCO LUMBER COMPANY
SHELTON DIVISION
SHELTON, WASHINGTON

TA-W-61,898A

WELCO LUMBER COMPANY
MARYSVILLE DIVISION
MARYSVILLE, WASHINGTON

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 July 30, 2007 in response
to a petition filed on behalf of workers of Welco Lumber Company,
Shelton division, Shelton, Washington (TA-W-61,898). Workers at
the subject firm produce cedar fencing.
At the request of a company official, the petition
investigation was expanded to include workers producing cedar
fencing at Welco Lumber Company, Marysville division, Marysville,
Washington (TA-W-61,898A).
TA-W-61,898 - Welco Lumber Company, Shelton division, Shelton,
Washington:
Employment, sales, and production at the subject firm declined
comparing January through June 2007 when compared to the same
period one year prior.
TA-W-61,898A - Welco Lumber Company, Marysville division,
Marysville, Washington:
Employment and production at the subject firm declined
absolutely when operations shut down in October 2007.
The Department of Labor surveyed the subject firms major
declining customer regarding purchases of cedar fencing in 2005,
2006, and the period of January through June 2007. This survey
revealed increased imports, and reliance of, of imported cedar
fencing during the period of January through June 2007 when
compared to the same period one year prior.
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.
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 firms are age 50 or
over and do not possess skills that are 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 cedar fencing produced by Welco
Lumber Company, Shelton division, Shelton, Washington (TA-W-61,898)
and Welco Lumber Company, Marysville division, Marysville,
Washington (TA-W-61,898A) 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 Welco Lumber Company, Shelton division,
Shelton, Washington (TA-W-61,898) and Welco Lumber Company,
Marysville division, Marysville, Washington (TA-W-61,898A) who
became totally or partially separated from employment on or
after July 27, 2006 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 27th day of September 2007

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