DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-38,662

POTLATCH CORPORATION
LEWISTON, IDAHO

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 February 12, 2001 in
response to a petition filed by the Paper and Allied, Chemical
and Energy Union, AFL-CIO, and the International Brotherhood of
Electrical Workers, AFL-CIO, on behalf of workers at Potlatch
Corporation, Lewiston, Idaho. Workers were engaged in activities
related to the production of wood pulp and paperboard. The
workers are not separately identifiable by product line.
The investigation revealed that criteria (2) and (3) have
not been met.
Sales and production at the subject company increased during
the relevant time period. The subject company did not import
wood pulp and paperboard.
Petitioners allege that increased imports of lumber led to
worker separations at Potlatch Corporation. Increased imports of
lumber cannot be used as the basis for certification of workers
producing wood pulp and paperboard. Imports of wood pulp and
paperboard must be considered as the basis for possible
certification in this case.
Conclusion
After careful review, I determine that all workers of
Potlatch Corporation, Lewiston, Idaho are denied eligibility to
apply for adjustment assistance under Section 223 of the Trade
Act of 1974.
Signed in Washington, D. C. this 13th day of March 2001.

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