Petitioner Type: Union
Impact Date: 06/16/2002
Filed Date: 04/15/2002
Most Recent Update: 06/27/2002
Determination Date: 06/27/2002
Expiration Date: 06/27/2004
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Employment and Training Administration
TA-W-41,285
UNITED STATES ENRICHMENT CORPORATION (USEC)
PORTSMOUTH GASEOUS DIFFUSION PLANT
PIKETON, OHIO
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 that all of the requirements have been met.
The investigation was initiated in response to a petition received on April 15, 2002, and filed by the PACE International Union Local 5-689, on behalf of former workers at United States Enrichment Corporation (USEC), Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plant, Piketon, Ohio. The workers were engaged in activities related to the production of low enriched uranium (LEU's).
The investigation revealed that production and employment at the subject firm declined during the relevant period. Company imports of LEU's also declined in the same period.
Investigative findings further revealed that a major con-tributing factor to the worker layoffs at the subject firm is related to an agreement ("Megatons to Megawatts Program") between the United States and Russia. Under that agreement, the Russians are required to convert nuclear warheads into low enriched uranium (LEU). The United States is then required to purchase the LEU's. When the U.S. Government privatized the subject firm in 1998, they stipulated that the United States Enrichment Cor-poration (USEC) would be required to purchase LEU's from Russia in order to follow through with the mutual agreement made with Russia. The subject firm is still importing the LEU's, but in decreasing amounts.
The investigation further revealed that total aggregate U.S. imports of LEU's increased sharply in 2001 compared with 2000, and increased again in the first-quarter of 2002 compared with the same period in 2001.
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 LEU's produced at United States Enrichment Corporation (USEC), Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plant, Piketon, Ohio 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 United States Enrichment Corporation (USEC), Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plant, Piketon, Ohio, who became totally or partially separated from employment on or after June 16, 2002, the date of expiration of a previous certification, through two years from the date of certifi-cation are eligible to apply for adjustment assistance under Section 223 of the Trade Act of 1974."
Signed at Washington, D.C., this 27th day of June, 2002.
/s/ Linda G. Poole
______________________________
LINDA G. POOLE
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance
Employment and Training Administration
TA-W-41,285
UNITED STATES ENRICHMENT CORPORATION (USEC)
PORTSMOUTH GASEOUS DIFFUSION PLANT
PIKETON, OHIO
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 that all of the requirements have been met.
The investigation was initiated in response to a petition received on April 15, 2002, and filed by the PACE International Union Local 5-689, on behalf of former workers at United States Enrichment Corporation (USEC), Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plant, Piketon, Ohio. The workers were engaged in activities related to the production of low enriched uranium (LEU's).
The investigation revealed that production and employment at the subject firm declined during the relevant period. Company imports of LEU's also declined in the same period.
Investigative findings further revealed that a major con-tributing factor to the worker layoffs at the subject firm is related to an agreement ("Megatons to Megawatts Program") between the United States and Russia. Under that agreement, the Russians are required to convert nuclear warheads into low enriched uranium (LEU). The United States is then required to purchase the LEU's. When the U.S. Government privatized the subject firm in 1998, they stipulated that the United States Enrichment Cor-poration (USEC) would be required to purchase LEU's from Russia in order to follow through with the mutual agreement made with Russia. The subject firm is still importing the LEU's, but in decreasing amounts.
The investigation further revealed that total aggregate U.S. imports of LEU's increased sharply in 2001 compared with 2000, and increased again in the first-quarter of 2002 compared with the same period in 2001.
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 LEU's produced at United States Enrichment Corporation (USEC), Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plant, Piketon, Ohio 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 United States Enrichment Corporation (USEC), Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plant, Piketon, Ohio, who became totally or partially separated from employment on or after June 16, 2002, the date of expiration of a previous certification, through two years from the date of certifi-cation are eligible to apply for adjustment assistance under Section 223 of the Trade Act of 1974."
Signed at Washington, D.C., this 27th day of June, 2002.
/s/ Linda G. Poole
______________________________
LINDA G. POOLE
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance