[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 193 (Thursday, October 6, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 58481-58482]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E5-5489]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment And Training Administration

[TA-W-57,491]


Iberia Sugar Cooperative, Inc., New Iberia, LA; Notice of Revised 
Determination on Reconsideration

    By letter dated September 21, 2005 a company official requested 
administrative reconsideration regarding the Department's Negative 
Determination Regarding Eligibility to Apply for Worker Adjustment 
Assistance, applicable to the workers of the subject firm.
    The initial investigation resulted in a negative determination 
signed on August 8, 2005 was based on the finding that imports of raw 
cane sugar and blackstrap molasses did not contribute importantly to 
worker separations at the subject plant and no shift of production to a 
foreign source occurred. The denial notice was published in the Federal 
Register on September 8, 2005 (70 FR 53389).
    To support the request for reconsideration, the company official 
supplied additional information. Upon further review and contact with 
the subject firm's major declining customers, it was revealed that the 
customers increased their reliance on imported raw cane sugar and 
blackstrap molasses during the relevant period. The imports accounted 
for a meaningful portion of the subject plant's lost sales and 
production. The investigation further revealed that production and 
employment at the subject firm declined during the relevant time 
period.
    In accordance with Section 246 the Trade Act of 1974 (26 U.S.C. 
2813), as amended, the Department of Labor herein presents the results 
of its investigation regarding certification of eligibility to apply 
for alternative trade adjustment assistance (ATAA) for older workers.
    In order for the Department to issue a certification of eligibility 
to apply for ATAA, the group eligibility requirements of Section 246 of 
the Trade Act must be met. The Department has determined in this case 
that the requirements of Section 246 have been met.
    A significant number of workers at the firm are age 50 or over and 
possess skills that are not easily transferable. Competitive conditions 
within the industry are adverse.

Conclusion

    After careful review of the additional facts obtained on 
reconsideration, I conclude that increased imports of articles like or 
directly competitive with those produced at Iberia Sugar Cooperative, 
Inc., New Iberia, Louisiana, contributed importantly to the declines in 
sales or production and to the total or partial separation of workers 
at the subject firm. In accordance with the provisions of the Act, I 
make the following certification:

    ``All workers of Iberia Sugar Cooperative, Inc., New Iberia, 
Louisiana who became totally or partially separated from employment 
on or after June 20, 2004 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 eligible to apply for 
alternative trade adjustment assistance under Section 246 of the 
Trade Act of 1974.''


[[Page 58482]]


    Signed in Washington, DC, this 26th day of September 2005.
Elliott S. Kushner,
Certifying Officer, Division of Trade Adjustment Assistance.
 [FR Doc. E5-5489 Filed 10-5-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-30-P