DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-74,071

BESSE WOOD PRODUCTS, INC.
BIRDS EYE VENEER CO.
BUTTERNUT, WISCONSIN

Certification Regarding Eligibility
To Apply for Worker Adjustment Assistance

In accordance with Section 223 of the Trade Act of 1974, as
amended ("Act"), 19 U.S.C. § 2273, the Department of Labor
herein presents the results of an investigation regarding
certification of eligibility to apply for worker adjustment
assistance.
The group eligibility requirements for workers of a Firm
under Section 222(a) of the Act, 19 U.S.C. § 2272(a), can be
satisfied if the following criteria are met:
(1) a significant number or proportion of the workers in such
workers' firm have become totally or partially separated, or
are threatened to become totally or partially separated; and

(2)(A)(i) the sales or production, or both, of such firm have
decreased absolutely; and

(ii)(III) imports of articles directly incorporating one
or more component parts produced outside the United States
that are like or directly competitive with imports of
articles incorporating one or more component parts
produced by such firm have increased; and

(iii) the increase in imports described in clause (ii)
contributed importantly to such workers' separation or
threat of separation and to the decline in the sales or
production of such firm.

The investigation was initiated in response to a petition
filed on May 11, 2010 on behalf of workers of Besse Wood
Products, Inc., Birds Eye Veneer Co., Butternut, Wisconsin
(Birds Eye Butternut). The workers are engaged in activities
related to the production of hardwood veneer. The workers are
not separately identifiable by product.
The investigation revealed that workers of Birds Eye
Butternut who are engaged in employment related to the
production of hardwood veneer meet the criteria for
certification.
Section 222(a)(1) of the Act has been met because a
significant number or proportion of the workers in the
workers' firm have become totally or partially separated.
Section 222(a)(2)(A)(i) has been met because the sales
and/or production of hardwood veneer decreased during the
relevant period.
Section 222(a)(2)(A)(ii) has been met because imports of
flooring directly incorporating hardwood veneer produced
outside the United States that are like or directly competitive
with imports of flooring incorporating hardwood veneer produced
by Birds Eye Butternut have increased.
Finally, Section 222(a)(2)(A)(iii) has been met because
the imports of flooring incorporating hardwood veneer
contributed importantly to the worker group separations and
sales/production declines at Birds Eye Butternut.
Conclusion
After careful review of the facts obtained in the
investigation, I determine that workers of Besse Wood Products,
Inc., Birds Eye Veneer Co., Butternut, Wisconsin, who are
engaged in employment related to hardwood veneer meet the worker
group certification criteria under Section 222(a) of the Act, 19
U.S.C. § 2272(a). In accordance with Section 223 of the Act, 19
U.S.C. § 2273, I make the following certification:
"All workers of Besse Wood Products, Inc., Birds Eye Veneer
Co., Butternut, Wisconsin, who became totally or partially
separated from employment on or after April 20, 2009,
through two years from the date of certification, and all
workers in the group threatened with total or partial
separation from employment on the date of certification
through two years from the date of certification, are
eligible to apply for adjustment assistance under Chapter 2
of Title II of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended."
Signed in Washington, D.C., this 20th day of October, 2010


/s/Elliott S. Kushner
______________________________
ELLIOTT S. KUSHNER
Certifying Officer, Office of
Trade Adjustment Assistance