DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-75,267

AK STEEL CORPORATION
ASHLAND WORKS COKE PLANT
ASHLAND KENTUCKY

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), are
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)(I) imports of articles or services like or directly
competitive with articles produced or services supplied 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 February 14, 2011 by the United Steelworkers of
America (USW) Local Union 523 on behalf of workers of AK Steel
Corporation, Ashland Works Coke Plant, Ashland, Kentucky
(Ashland Works). The workers are engaged in activities related
to the production of coke. The coke is used internally for
Ashland's Steelmaking facility (not the subject of this
investigation).
The investigation revealed that workers of Ashland Works
who are engaged in activities related to the production of coke
meet the criteria for certification.
Section 222(a)(1) has been met because a significant
number or proportion of workers at the workers' firm were
separated are threatened with separations during the relevant
period.
Section 222(a)(2)(A)(i) has been met because production
of coke by Ashland Works have decreased during the relevant
period.
Section 222(a)(2)(A)(ii) has been met because company
imports of articles like or directly competitive with coke
produced by Ashland Works have increased.
Finally, Section 222(a)(2)(A)(iii) has been met because
increased imports of coke by Ashland Works contributed
importantly to the worker group separations and production
declines at Ashland Works.
Conclusion
After careful review of the facts obtained in the
investigation, I determine that workers of AK Steel Corporation,
Ashland Works Coke Plant, Ashland, Kentucky, who are engaged in
activities related to the production of coke 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 AK Steel Corporation, Ashland Works Coke
Plant, Ashland, Kentucky, who became totally or partially
separated from employment on or after February 11, 2010,
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 6th day of April, 2011.

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