DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-40,542

VISION METALS INC.
GULF STATES TUBE DIVISION
ROSENBURG, TEXAS

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 January 14, 2002, in
response to a petition filed by the United Steelworkers of
America, Local 5754, on behalf of workers at Vision Metals Inc.,
Gulf States Tube Division, Rosenburg, Texas. The workers were
engaged in employment related to the production of welded and
seamless steel tubing.
This investigation revealed that production and employment
at the subject plant decreased during the period under
investigation. The plant has ceased production.
United States aggregate imports of carbon steel structural
pipe and tubing were very high in 1999, representing 395.7
percent of U.S. shipments, and imports increased in 2000.
Absolute imports declined in January to September 2001, but
imports relative to U.S. shipments increased in that period.
United States aggregate imports of carbon steel mechanical
tubing increased both absolutely and relative to U.S. shipments
in 2000 compared with 1999. In the January to September 2001,
period the import to shipment ratio remained at a high level.
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 Vision Metals Inc.,
Gulf States Tube Division, Rosenburg, Texas, 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 Vision Metals Inc., Gulf States Tube
Division, Rosenburg, Texas, who became totally or partially
separated from employment on or after December 8, 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 25th day of February, 2002



/s/ Linda G. Poole

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