[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 34 (Tuesday, February 22, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Page 8638]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E5-687]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment And Training Administration

[TA-W-55,408]


Kokoku Wire Industries, South Bend, IN; Notice of Negative 
Determination on Reconsideration

    On December 7, 2004, the Department issued an Affirmative 
Determination Regarding Application for Reconsideration for the workers 
and former workers of the subject firm. The Department's Notice of 
determination was published in the Federal Register on December 20, 
2004 (69 FR 76016).
    The Department initially denied Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) 
to workers of Kokoku Wire Industries, South Bend, Indiana (``Kokoku 
Wire'') because the ``contributed importantly'' and shift of production 
group eligibility requirements of Section 222(3) of the Trade Act of 
1974, as amended, were not met. The initial investigation revealed that 
neither the subject company nor its customers increased import 
purchases of steel wire for automotive control cables during the 
relevant period and that there was no shift of production. The 
Department also denied Alternate Trade Adjustment Assistance (ATAA) to 
workers since the workers were not certified eligible for TAA.
    In the request for reconsideration, the petitioner alleged that the 
subject's major customers increased import purchases during the 
relevant time period.
    During the reconsideration investigation, the Department carefully 
reviewed the record, requested additional information from the subject 
company, and conducted another, more extensive customer survey 
regarding purchases of steel wire for automotive control cables during 
2002, 2003, January through August 2003 and January through August 
2004.
    A careful review of the record confirms that the subject company's 
inability to secure raw materials was a determining factor for the 
plant closure in July 2004.
    Additional information provided by the company official revealed 
that the subject company had a group of smaller customers who decreased 
purchases during the investigatory period. A survey of those customers 
revealed no imports of steel wire for automotive control cables during 
the relevant period.
    An investigation for ATAA certification eligibility was not 
conducted because the workers are not certified for TAA.

Conclusion

    After reconsideration, I affirm the original notice of negative 
determination of eligibility to apply for worker adjustment assistance 
for workers and former workers of Kokoku Wire Industries, South Bend, 
Indiana.

    Signed at Washington, DC, this 3rd day of February 2005.
Elliott S. Kushner,
Certifying Officer, Division of Trade Adjustment Assistance.
[FR Doc. E5-687 Filed 2-18-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-30-P