[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 10 (Friday, January 14, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 2435-2436]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-946]


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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration
[TA-W-36,775]


Hart Metals, incorporated, Tamaqua, Pennsylvania; Notice of 
Negative Determination on Reopening

    By letter of November 2, 1999, the United Steelworkers of America 
(USWA), Local #4182, submitted information regarding the Department's 
denial of eligibility of workers of Hart Metals, Incorporated, Tamaqua, 
Pennsylvania to apply for worker adjustment assistance. The denial 
notice was signed on October 6, 1999 and published in the Federal 
Register on November 4, 1999 (64 FR 60230). The letter submitted by the 
USWA warranted reexamination of the Department's findings in this case.
    The petition was filed on behalf of workers at the subject firm 
producing magnesium powders. The Department's investigation 
concentrated on the production of those articles from which the workers 
were separated from employment, specifically atomized magnesium 
powders.
    The Department's initial investigation regarding atomized magnesium 
powders concluded that sales, production and employment at the plant 
declined during the relevant time period. None of the subject firm 
customers were replacing purchases of atomized managesium powders from 
Hart Metals with import purchases of like or directly competitive 
articles.
    The USWA asserts that the workers also were engaged in the 
production of ground magnesium powders. One of the grinding machines 
was shifted to Canada to produce ground magnesium powder. The powder is 
then returned to the United States to be used in de-sulpherization 
processes in steel mills.
    On reinvestigation, the Department learned that the workers are not 
separately identifiable by product line.
    As indicated in the Department's initial investigation, the 
quantity of production of atomized magnesium powders declined from 
January through June 1999 compared to the same 1998 time period. The 
customer survey was for those customers reducing purchases of atomized 
magnesium powders. Total sales and production of other articles 
produced at the plant, ground magnesium granules and powders and 
desulfurization agents increased from 1997 to 1998 and in January 
through August 1999 compared to January through August 1998. Therefore, 
criterion (2) of Section 222 of the worker

[[Page 2436]]

group eligibility requirements has not been met.
    The USWA states that the company shifted a grinding machine to 
Canada to produce ground magnesium powder. Company imports of ground 
magnesium powder increased in the first eight months of 1999. The 
company imports, however, accounted for a small percentage of the 
plant's total production and sales.

Conclusion

    After careful review of the facts on reopening, I affirm the 
original notice of negative determination of eligibility to apply for 
worker adjustment assistance for workers and former workers of Hart 
Metals, Tamaqua, Pennsylvania.

    Signed in Washington, D.C. this 7th day of January 2000.
Grant D. Beale,
Program Manager, Office of Trade Adjustment Assistance.
[FR Doc. 00-946 Filed 1-13-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-30-M