DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-41,135

ERIE FORGE & STEEL, INC.
ERIE, PENNSYLVANIA

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 in response to a petition
received on March 25, 2002, and filed by United Steelworkers of
America (USWA), Local 3199-20 on behalf of workers at Erie Forge
and Steel, Inc., Erie, Pennsylvania. The workers produced
ingots, billets and other minor products.
The investigation revealed that sales, production, and
employment at the subject firm declined absolutely during the
relevant period.
United States imports of ingots, blooms, billets and slabs
were very high in the 2000-2001 period. Imports from Canada
represented more than half of overall imports.
A Department of Labor survey of the subject firm's major
customers revealed increased imports of ingots and billets during
the relevant period.
A petition for eligibility for NAFTA-Transitional Adjustment
Assistance has been filed on behalf of workers at the subject firm
(NAFTA-5979).
Conclusion
After careful review of the facts obtained in the
investigation, I conclude that increases of imports of articles
like or directly competitive with those produced at the subject
firm 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 Act, I make the following
certification:
"All workers of Erie Forge and Steel, Inc., Erie,
Pennsylvania, engaged in employment related to the production
of ingots and billets, who became totally or partially
separated from employment on or after February 25, 2001,
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 at Washington, D.C., this 20th day of May 2002.


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