DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-38,728

EQUISTAR CHEMICAL L.P.
PORT ARTHUR, TEXAS

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 subdi-
vision have decreased absolutely; and

(3) that increases of imports of articles like or directly
competitive with articles produced by the firm or appro-
priate 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 26, 2001 in
response to a petition filed by Pipe Fitters Local Union No. 195 on
behalf of workers at Equistar Chemical, L.P., Port Arthur, Texas. The workers produced high density polyethylene and low density
polyethylene.
The investigation revealed that criterion (3) has not been
met.
U.S. imports of polyethylene having a specific gravity less
than 0.94, in primary forms, decreased in January-February 2001
compared to the same period in 2000.
Company-wide sales of high density polyethylene increased in
2000 compared to 1999 and decreased less than 5% in January 2001
compared to January 2000.
The Department surveyed the major declining customers of
Equistar Chemical, L.P. regarding their purchases of low density
polyethylene during 1999 and 2000. The survey revealed that none of
the respondents imported low density polyethylene during the
relevant period.
Conclusion
After careful review, I determine that all workers of Equistar
Chemical, L.P., Port Arthur, Texas are denied eligibility to apply
for adjustment assistance under Section 223 of the Trade Act of
1974.

Signed in Washington, D. C. this 4th day of June, 2001


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