DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-40,540

BETA STEEL CORPORATION
PORTAGE, INDIANA

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
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. It is determined in this case that all of the
requirements have been met.
The investigation was initiated on December 17, 2001, in
response to a petition filed by the company on behalf of workers
at Beta Steel Corporation, Portage, Indiana. The workers were
engaged in employment related to the production of hot-rolled
coils.
This investigation revealed that sales and employment at the
subject plant decreased during the period under investigation.
The plant has ceased production.
The Department of Labor surveyed the major customers of the
subject firm regarding their purchases of hot-rolled coils in the
1999, 2000, and 2001. Respondents indicated that they reduced
purchases from the subject firm and increased imports in one or
more sets of time periods.
Further findings of the investigation show that U.S. imports
of hot-rolled carbon steel coils increased both absolutely and
relative to U.S. shipments in January through November 2001
compared with the same time period in 2000.
Conclusion
After careful review of the facts obtained in the
investigation, I conclude that increases of imports of articles
like or directly competitive with the hot-rolled coils produced
by Beta Steel Corporation, Portage, Indiana 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 Beta Steel Corporation, Portage, Indiana,
who became totally or partially separated from employment on
or after December 26, 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 27th day of March, 2002.

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