96-20603. Boise Cascade Corporation, Vancouver, Washington; Notice of Negative Determination on Reconsideration

[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 157 (Tuesday, August 13, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 42059-42060]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-20603]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
[TA-W-31, 936]


Boise Cascade Corporation, Vancouver, Washington; Notice of 
Negative Determination on Reconsideration

    On June 17, 1996, the Department issued an Affirmative 
Determination Regarding Application for Reconsideration for the workers 
and former workers of the subject firm. The petitioner presented 
evidence that the Department's analysis of U.S. imports of pulp, and 
all paper products produced at the subject firm was incomplete. This

[[Page 42060]]

notice was published in the Federal Register on July 3, 1996 (61 FR 
34876).
    The Department's initial denial workers were denied TAA because the 
``contributed importantly'' group eligibility requirement of Section 
222(3) of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended, was not met. The 
investigation revealed that none of the customers imported carbonless 
or other specialty paper products in the time period relevant to the 
investigation.
    The petitioner claims that the Department's investigation did not 
evaluate imports of base sheet paper or market pulp.
    Findings on reconsideration show that Boise Cascade's Vancouver 
mill produces pulp and base sheet paper for internal use only. The 
subject firm did not sell base sheet paper or pulp to its customers.
    In order to determine worker eligibility, the Department must 
examine imports of products like or directly competitive with those 
articles produced at the Vancouver mill. In this case, the products 
produced at Vancouver were carbonless and other specialty paper 
products. Base sheet paper and pulp cannot be considered like or 
directly competitive with the end products produced and sold at the 
Vancouver mill.
    The petitioner alleges that some competitors of Boise Cascade 
import the base sheet paper which is used to manufacture the carbonless 
and speciality paper. The source of raw materials used by Boise Cascade 
or its competitors to produce the finished product is irrelevant to the 
investigation.
    The petitioner claims that the Department did not examine the 
general effect of increased imports on the overall domestic pulp and 
paper markets or methods of production involved in making and marketing 
of specialty grade paper. During the course of an investigation to 
determine worker group eligibility, the Department does not conduct an 
industry study, but limits its investigation to the impact of imports 
specific to the products produced and sold by the worker's firm.
    The Trade Act was not intended to provide TAA benefits to everyone 
who is in some way affected by foreign competition but only to those 
who experienced a decline in sales or production and employment and an 
increase in imports of like or directly competitive products which 
``contributed importantly'' to declines in sales or production and 
employment.

Conclusion

    After reconsideration, I affirm the original notice of negative 
determination of eligibility to apply for adjustment assistance for 
workers and former workers of Boise Cascade Corporation, Vancouver, 
Washington.

    Signed at Washington, D.C., this 31st day of July 1996.
Russell T. Kile,
Acting Program Manager, Policy and Reemployment Services, Office of 
Trade Adjustment Assistance.
[FR Doc. 96-20603 Filed 8-12-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-30-M