DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-39,639

AMERICAN STEEL & WIRE
CUYAHOGA HEIGHTS, OHIO

Certification 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. It is determined in this case that all of the requirements have been met.
The investigation was initiated on July 16, 2001, in response to a petition filed on behalf of workers at American Steel & Wire, Cuyahoga Heights, Ohio. The firm is a division of Birmingham Steel Corporation, Birmingham, Alabama. The workers in Cuyahoga Hts. are engaged in employment related to the production of steel bar, rod and wire coils.
This investigation revealed that sales, production and employment at the subject plant decreased during the period under investigation.

United States aggregate imports of hot rolled carbon steel bars increased in 2000 compared with 1999 both absolutely and relative to domestic shipments.
Unites States imports of carbon steel wire rods also increased both absolutely and relative to U.S. shipments in 2000 compared with 1999. In January to April, 2001, imports continued to increase relative to U.S. shipments.
U.S. imports of wire drawn carbon steel were very high, over 126 percent of U.S. domestic shipments, in 2000 and that ratio remained high in January to April, 2001.
Conclusion
After careful review of the facts obtained in the investi-gation, I conclude that increases of imports of articles like or directly competitive with those produced by American Steel & Wire, Cuyahoga Heights, Ohio, contributed importantly to the decline in sales or production and to the total or partial separation of workers of that firm.

In accordance with the provisions of the Trade Act, I make the following certification:
"All workers at American Steel & Wire, Cuyahoga Heights, Ohio, who became totally or partially separated from employment on or after June 27, 2000, through two years from the date of certification, are eligible to apply for adjustment assistance under Section 223 of the Trade Act of 1974."
Signed in Washington, D. C. this 22nd day of October, 2001

/s/ Linda G. Poole

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