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.