DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-38,310

ABC-NACO
ASHLAND, WISCONSIN

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
eligibility 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 November 13, 2000, in
response to a petition filed by the Boilermakers union, Lodge 117,
on behalf of workers at ABC-NACO, Ashland, Wisconsin. The workers
produce rail track switches.
The investigation revealed that criterion (3) has not been
met.
The subject firm, and its parent company, did not import like
or directly competitive products. A survey by the Department of
Labor indicated that major customers of the subject firm did not
import rail track switches while decreasing purchases from the
subject firm during the relevant period.
Conclusion
After careful review, I determine that all workers of ABC-
NACO, Ashland, Wisconsin, are denied eligibility to apply for
adjustment assistance under Section 223 of the Trade Act of 1974.

Signed in Washington, D. C. this 27th day of November, 2000.


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