DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-40,259

NATIONAL REFRACTORIES AND MINERALS CORP.
COLUMBIANA, OHIO

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 October 29, 2001 in
response to a petition filed by United Steelworkers of America,
Local 523-13 on behalf of workers at National Refractories and
Minerals Corp., Columbiana, Ohio. The workers produce
refractories.
The investigation revealed that criterion (3) has not been
met.


The investigation revealed that the subject firm did not
increase imports of refractories during the relevant time period.
Moreover, United States aggregate imports of refractories decreased
during the period under investigation.
The Department of Labor surveyed major declining customers of
the subject firm regarding their purchases of refractories. They
reported no increases in imports during the period under
investigation.
Conclusion
After careful review, I determine that all workers at National
Refractories and Minerals Corp., Columbiana, Ohio engaged in
employment related to the production of refractories, are denied
eligibility to apply for adjustment assistance under Section 223 of
the Trade Act of 1974.
Signed in Washington, D.C. this 2nd day of July 2002



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