DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-39,249

ASHLAND SPECIALTY CHEMICALS CO
ELECTRONIC CHEMICALS DIVISION
EASTON, PENNSYLVANIA

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 separat-

ed;

(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 May 14, 2001 in response
to a petition filed by the Teamsters Local Union #773 on behalf
of all workers at Ashland Chemicals Company, Easton,
Pennsylvania.
The workers are engaged in employment related to the
production of chemicals used in the electronics industry.
The investigation revealed that criterion (3) has not been
met.
The petitioner states that some of the chemical production
has gone to Korea. The investigation revealed that some
chemicals were exported to Korea to serve that market. None of
the chemicals processed there are being imported to the United
States.
Layoffs at the subject plant are primarily attributable to a
transfer of the products produced by workers at the subject
facility to company plants located domestically.
Conclusion
After careful review, I determine that all workers of
Ashland Chemicals Company, Easton, Pennsylvania are denied eligi-

bility to apply for adjustment assistance under Section 223 of
the Trade Act of 1974.

Signed in Washington, D.C. this 16th day of July, 2001.


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