DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-64,238

PLUM CREEK MDF, INC.
INCLUDING ON-SITE LEASED WORKERS FROM LC STAFFING
COLUMBIA FALLS, MONTANA

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 October 17, 2008 in
response to a petition filed by a company official on behalf of
workers at Plum Creek MDF, Inc., Columbia Falls, Montana. The
workers of the subject firm produce medium and high density
fiberboard panels.
The worker group includes leased workers from LC Staffing.
The investigation revealed that employment, sales, and
production at the subject firm declined during the relevant
period.
The Department of Labor surveyed the firm's major declining
customers regarding their purchases of medium and high density
fiberboard panels for 2006, 2007, and January through October
2008. The survey revealed that imports of medium and high
density fiberboard panels increased 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 articles
like or directly competitive with medium and high density
fiberboard panels produced by Plum Creek MDF, Inc., Columbia
Falls, Montana, 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 Plum Creek MDF, Inc., Columbia Falls,
Montana, including on-site leased workers from LC Staffing,
who became totally or partially separated from employment
on or after October 16, 2007 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 19th day of December 2008


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