DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-38,157

ASHLAND CHEMICAL COMPANY
ASHTABULA, OHIO

Certification 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. It is determined in this case that all of the
requirements have been met.
The investigation was initiated in response to a petition
received on October 2, 2000 and filed by the United Auto Workers,
Local 1834 on behalf of workers at Ashland Chemical Company,
Ashtabula, Ohio. The workers were engaged in activities related to
the production of unsaturated polyester resins and resin molding
compounds. The workers are not separately identifiable by product
line.
The investigation revealed that the preponderance in the
declines in employment at the subject firm is related to the
company recently shifting a significant portion of plant production
of resins and molding compounds to a facility located in Canada.
The majority of those products are now being imported back into the
United States.
The investigation further revealed that the subject plant
recently ceased plant production, due to the shifts in production
to Canada and other domestic locations.
Conclusion
After careful review of the facts obtained in the investi-
gation, I conclude that increases of imports of articles like or
directly competitive with unsaturated polyester resins and resin
molding compounds contributed importantly to the decline in sales
or production and to the total or partial separation of workers of
that firm. In accordance with the provisions of the Act, I make
the following certification:
"All workers of Ashland Chemical Company, Ashtabula, Ohio, who
became totally or partially separated from employment on or
after September 11, 1999 through two years from the date of
certification are eligible to apply for adjustment assistance
under Section 223 of the Trade Act of 1974."

Signed in Washington, D. C. this 13th day of October, 2000

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