DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-38,022

CELANESE ACETATE
CEL RIVER PLANT
ROCK HILL, SOUTH CAROLINA

Negative Determination Regarding Eligibility
To Apply for Worker Adjustment Assistance

In accordance with Section 223 of the Trade Act of 1974 (19
USC 2273) as amended by the Omnibus Trade and Competitiveness Act
of 1988 (P. L. 100-418), the Department of Labor herein presents
the results of an investigation regarding certification of eligi-
bility to apply for worker adjustment assistance.
In order to make an affirmative determination and issue a
certification of eligibility to apply for adjustment assistance,
each of the group eligibility requirements of Section 222 of the
Act must be met:
(1) that a significant number or proportion of the workers
in the workers' firm, or an appropriate subdivision
thereof, have become totally or partially separated, or
are threatened to become totally or partially sepa-

rated;

(2) that sales or production, or both, of the firm or
subdivision have decreased absolutely; and

(3) that increases of imports of articles like or directly
competitive with articles produced by the firm or
appropriate subdivision have contributed importantly to
the separations, or threat thereof, and to the absolute
decline in sales or production.

The investigation was initiated on August 28, 2000 in response
to a petition filed by UNITE, Local 1093T, on behalf of workers at
Celanese Acetate, Cel River Plant, Rock Hill, South Carolina. The
workers produced acetate filament and flake.
The investigation revealed that criterion (3) has not been
met.
U.S. imports of single yarn of cellulose acetate (not high
tenacity or sewing thread), not put up for retail sale, decreased
in 1999 compared to 1998 and in January-August 2000 compared to
the same period in 1999.
The Department surveyed the major declining customers of
Celanese Acetate regarding their purchases of acetate filament
during 1998, 1999, and January-June 2000. The survey revealed
that none of the respondents increased their purchases of imports
while decreasing their purchases from the subject firm during the
relevant period.
Conclusion
After careful review, I determine that all workers of
Celanese Acetate, Cel River Plant, Rock Hill, South Carolina are
denied eligibility to apply for adjustment assistance under
Section 223 of the Trade Act of 1974.

Signed in Washington, D. C. this 2nd day of November, 2000


/s/ Linda G. Poole
______________________________
LINDA G. POOLE
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance