DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-38,069

ASARCO INC.
EAST HELENA, MONTANA

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
separated;

(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 September 11, 2000 in
response to a petition filed on behalf of workers at ASARCO Inc.,
East Helena, Montana. The workers were engaged in the production
of lead bullion.
The investigation revealed that criterion (3) has not been
met.
The investigation revealed that sales and production at the
subject firm increased in January-September 2000 compared with
the same period in 1999; overall plant employment remained fairly
stable, with the exception of normal seasonal fluctuations. Com-
pany imports declined in the first-half of 2000 compared with
1999, and no production was shifted to offshore locations.
The investigation further revealed that the separations at
ASARCO Inc., East Helena, Montana, were due to a corporate-wide
elimination of redundant job positions.
Conclusion
After careful review, I determine that all workers of ASARCO
Inc., East Helena, Montana are denied eligibility to apply for
adjustment assistance under Section 223 of the Trade Act of 1974.
Signed at Washington, D.C., this 7th day of December, 2000.


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