[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 57 (Wednesday, March 24, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Page 13904]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-6548]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

[TA-W-52,912]


Boise Cascade Corporation, Yakima, WA; Notice of Revised 
Determination on Reconsideration Regarding Eligibility To Apply for 
Worker Adjustment Assistance and Alternative Trade Adjustment 
Assistance

    By letter dated December 3, 2003, the Western Council of Industrial 
Workers, Local 2739, requested administrative reconsideration regarding 
the Department's Negative Determination Regarding Eligibility to Apply 
for Worker Adjustment Assistance and Alternative Trade Adjustment 
Assistance (ATAA), applicable to softwood dimensional lumber workers of 
the subject firm. The Notice of Affirmative Determination Regarding 
Application for Reconsideration was signed in February 10, 2004 and 
published in the Federal Register on February 25, 2004 (69 FR 8698).
    The initial denial was based on the findings of no sales declines 
and minimal production declines during the period of employment 
declines at the subject company, no shift of production abroad, no 
subject company imports and that there was a shift of production to a 
domestic facility. The workers produce plywood and softwood dimensional 
lumber and are separately identifiable by product line.
    In the request for reconsideration, the petitioner alleged that 
employment declines occurred at the subject facility and increased 
import of softwood dimension lumber.
    An examination of new information and further review of existing 
information supplied by the company during the initial investigation 
reveals that the subject company did experience sales, production and 
employment declines during the relevant time period.
    The Department conducted a survey of the subject company's major 
declining customers for the time periods 2001, 2002, and January-August 
2003 regarding imports of softwood dimensional lumber. The sample 
survey represents a meaningful portion of total subject company sales. 
The survey revealed decreased subject company purchases and increased 
customer reliance on imported softwood dimensional lumber during the 
relevant time period.
    The investigation also revealed that at least five percent of the 
workforce at the subject firm is at least fifty years of age and that 
the workers possess skills that are not easily transferable. 
Competitive conditions within the industry are adverse.

Conclusion

    After careful consideration of the new facts obtained on 
reconsideration, it is concluded that increased imports of softwood 
dimensional lumber, contributed importantly to the decline in 
production and to the total or partial separation of workers at Boise 
Cascade Corporation, Yakima, Washington. In accordance with the 
provisions of the Act, I make the following revised determination:

    Workers of Boise Cascade Corporation, Yakima, Washington, 
engaged in activity related to the production of softwood 
dimensional lumber, who became totally or partially separated from 
employment on or after September 4, 2002 through two years from the 
date of this 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, DC this 8th day of March 2004.
Elliott S. Kushner
Certifying Officer, Division of Trade Adjustment Assistance.
[FR Doc. 04-6548 Filed 3-23-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-30-P