[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 26 (Tuesday, February 10, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Page 6657]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-2735]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

[TA-W-64,160]


Boise Cascade, LLC; Wood Products Division; St. Helens, OR; 
Notice of Negative Determination on Reconsideration

    On December 10, 2008, the Department issued an Affirmative 
Determination Regarding Application for Reconsideration for the workers 
and former workers of the subject firm. The notice was published in the 
Federal Register on December 18, 2008 (73 FR 77063-77064).
    The initial investigation resulted in a negative determination 
based on the finding that imports of softwood veneer did not contribute 
importantly to worker separations at the subject firm and no shift of 
production to a foreign source occurred.
    The petitioner alleged that imports of softwood lumber and plywood 
from Canada have a strong influence on the United States softwood 
market and caused layoffs at the subject facility. The petitioner seems 
to allege that because imports of non-petroleum articles and, 
specifically imports from China, were at a record during August 2008, 
workers of the subject firm should be eligible for Trade Adjustment 
Assistance.
    In order to establish import impact and whether imports contributed 
importantly to worker separations, the Department must consider imports 
that are like or directly competitive with those produced at the 
subject firm. The ``contributed importantly'' test is generally 
demonstrated through a survey of customers of the workers' firm 
regarding their import purchases.
    On reconsideration the Department conducted a survey of all the 
subject firm's customers regarding purchases of softwood veneer and 
like or directly competitive products during 2006, 2007 and during 
January through September 2008. The survey revealed that the customers 
did not increase their imports of softwood veneer in 2006, 2007 and 
during January through September 2008 over the corresponding 2007 
period.
    Furthermore, United States aggregate imports of veneer decreased 
from 2006 to 2007 and from January through November 2008 over the 
corresponding 2007 period.

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 Boise Cascade, LLC, Wood Products 
Division, St. Helens, Oregon.

    Signed at Washington, DC, this 21st day of January 2009.
 Elliott S. Kushner,
Certifying Officer, Division of Trade Adjustment Assistance.
[FR Doc. E9-2735 Filed 2-9-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-FN-P