DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-41,318
Specialty Minerals, Inc.
Oswego, New York

TA-W-41,318A
Specialty Minerals, Inc.,
Lockhaven, Pennsylvania

TA-W-41,318B
Specialty Minerals, Inc.
Erie, Pennsylvania

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 eli-
gibility 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 sub-
division have decreased absolutely; and

(3) that increases of imports of articles like or directly
competitive with articles produced by the firm or ap-
propriate subdivision have contributed importantly to the
separations, or threat thereof, and to the absolute
decline in sales or production.


The investigation was initiated in response to a petition
received on April 15, 2002, filed by the company on behalf of
workers at facilities of Specialty Minerals, Inc., in Oswego, New
York, Lockhaven, Pennsylvania, and Erie, Pennsylvania. The workers
produced precipitated calcium carbonates (PCCs) for the paper
making industry.
The investigation revealed that criterion (3) has not been
met.
The subject facilities do not import precipitated calcium
carbonates (PCCs) for the paper making industry.
The U.S. Department of Labor conducted a survey of major
customers of the subject facilities regarding their purchases of
precipitated calcium carbonates (PCCs) during 2000, 2001 and
January through August 29, 2002. The survey revealed that none of
the customers imported precipitated calcium carbonates (PCCs) for
the paper making industry during the relevant time period.
Conclusion
After careful review, I determine that all workers of
Specialty Minerals, Inc., Oswego, New York (TA-W-41,318),
Lockhaven, Pennsylvania (TA-W-41,318A) and Erie, Pennsylvania (TA-
W-41,318B), are denied eligibility to apply for adjustment
assistance under Section 223 of the Trade Act of 1974.
Signed in Washington, D. C. this 18th day of September 2002.

/s/ Elliott S. Kushner
_____________________________
ELLIOTT S. KUSHNER
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance