DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-41,580

PACIFIC NORTHWEST SUGAR COMPANY
MOSES LAKE, WASHINGTON

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
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:
(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 May 28, 2002 in response to
a petition filed by the company official on behalf of workers at
Pacific Northwest Sugar Company, Moses Lake, Washington. The
workers produced refined sugar from sugar beets.
The investigation revealed that criterion (3) has not been
met.


The investigation revealed that the subject firm did not
import refined sugar during the relevant period.
A Department of Labor survey revealed that imports of refined
sugar amongst the major customers was negligible throughout the
period.
U.S. imports of refined sugar declined sharply in 2001 and
again in the first three months of 2002.
A petition for eligibility to apply for NAFTA-Transitional
Adjustment Assistance has been filed on behalf of workers at the
subject firm (NAFTA-6202).
Conclusion
After careful review, I determine that all workers at Pacific
Northwest Sugar Company, Moses Lake, Washington, are denied
eligibility to apply for adjustment assistance under Section 223 of
the Trade Act of 1974.
Signed in Washington, D.C. this 19th day of July, 2002.

/s/ Linda G. Poole


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