DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-40,897

NATIONAL STEEL PELLET COMPANY
KEEWATIN, MINNESOTA

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
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 February 14, 2002 in
response to a petition filed by the United Steelworkers of
America, Local 2660, on behalf of workers at National Steel
Pellet Company, Keewatin, Minnesota. Workers produce iron ore
pellets.
The investigation revealed that criterion (3) has not been
met.
National Steel Pellet Company did not increase imports of
iron ore pellets from 2000 to 2001.
The subject firm's parent company and major customer reduced
its imports of iron ore pellets during the relevant period.
A petition for NAFTA-Transitional Adjustment Assistance has
been filed. The identifying number is NAFTA-5865.
Conclusion
After careful review, I determine that all workers of
National Steel Pellet Company, Keewatin, Minnesota are denied
eligibility to apply for adjustment assistance under Section 223
of the Trade Act of 1974.
Signed in Washington, D. C. this 3rd day of May 2002.


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