DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-38,703

OLSONITE CORPORATION
ALGOMA, 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 February 20, 2001 in
response to a petition filed by United Brotherhood of Carpenters
and Joiners of America, Local 1521 on behalf of workers at
Olsonite Corporation, Algoma, Wisconsin. The workers produced
wooden toilet seats.
The investigation revealed that criterion (3) has not been
met.
The Department surveyed the major declining customers of
Olssonite Corporation regarding their purchases of wooden toilet
seats during 1999 and 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.
Evidence gathered in the course of the investigation
revealed that an important cause of the subject plant's sales
loss was consolidation within the home improvement supply
industry.
Conclusion
After careful review, I determine that all workers of
Olsonite Corporation, Algoma, Wisconsin are denied eligibility to
apply for adjustment assistance under Section 223 of the Trade
Act of 1974.

Signed in Washington, D. C. this 19th day of April, 2001

/s/ Linda G. Poole

______________________________
LINDA G. POOLE
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance