[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 188 (Wednesday, September 29, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Page 52543]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-25297]
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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Employment and Training Administration
[TA-W-35,718; TA-W-35,718A; TA-W-35,718B; TA-W-35,718C; TA-W-35,718D;
TA-W-35,718E]
H.B. & R., Inc.; Dickinson, North Dakota; Bowman, North Dakota;
Williston, North Dakota; Sidney, Montana; Rock Springs, Wyoming;
Prudhoe Bay, Alaska; Notice of Negative Determination on
Reconsideration
By letter of June 29, 1999, the company requested administrative
reconsideration of the Department's denial of Trade Adjustment
Assistance (TAA) for workers and former workers of H.B. & R., Inc.,
Dickinson, North Dakota. The notice of negative determination was
signed on June 7, 1999 and published in the Federal Register on June
30, 1999 (64 FR 35183).
The Department initially denied TAA to workers of H.B. & R., Inc.,
Dickinson, North Dakota, who were engaged in the rental of equipment
and the performance of tank farm services. It was determined that these
workers provided a service and did not produce an article as required
in Section 222(3) of the Group Eligibility Requirements of the Trade
Act of 1974, as amended.
The company official pointed out that the petition was filed on
behalf of several locations, but they were not included in the final
determination. Furthermore, the determination did not correctly
describe the work performed by the employees.
The Department acknowledges that in the June 7, 1999 decision
document it inadvertently excluded reference to the H.B. & R., Inc.
locations in Bowman and Williston, North Dakota, Sidney, Montana, Rock
Springs, Wyoming and Prudhoe Bay, Alaska, although these locations were
included in the petition investigation.
The information provided by the company official requesting
reconsideration cited that the workers are engaged in oilfield service
work for unaffiliated natural gas and crude oil producers. On
reconsideration, the Department obtained additional information
regarding work performed by workers of the subject firm. It was
reported that the workers employment in Dickinson, Bowman and
Williston, North Dakota, Sidney, Montana, Rock Springs, Wyoming and
Prudhoe Bay, Alaska includes, but is not limited to hot oil and heating
service work, pipeline pressure testing and hauling water.
The 1988 Omnibus Trade and Competitiveness Act amendments to the
Trade Act of 1974 expanded coverage to service workers engaged in
employment related to exploration and drilling for crude oil and
natural gas. These service workers are considered to be ``producing''
crude oil or natural gas. The same consideration cannot be given to
workers providing oilfield services.
Conclusion
After determination, I affirm the original notice of negative
determination of eligibility to apply for worker adjustment assistance
for workers and former workers of H.B. & R., Inc., Dickinson, North
Dakota, Bowman and Williston, North Dakota, Sidney, Montana, Rock
Springs, Wyoming and Prudhoe Bay, Alaska.
Signed at Washington, D.C., this 7th day of September 1999.
Grant D. Beale,
Program Manager, Office of Trade Adjustment Assistance.
[FR Doc. 99-25297 Filed 9-28-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-30-M
