DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-41,735

MSC PINOLE POINT STEEL INC.
MSC PRE FINISH METALS INC.
RICHMOND, CALIFORNIA

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 July 1, 2002, in response
to a petition filed by the United Steelworkers of America, Local
2660, on behalf of workers at MSC Pinole Point Steel Inc., MSC
Pre Finish Metals Inc., Richmond, California. Workers produced
galvanized and/or painted steel sheets and coils.
The investigation revealed that criterion (3) has not been
met.
Sales and production in both categories, galvanized and pre-
painted, increased in January through May 2002 compared with the
same period in 2001. However, the plants were closed at the end
of May 2002 when assets of the firm were sold or liquidated.
MSC Pinole Point Steel and MSC Pre Finish Metals used
foreign produced ungalvanized coils, referred to as "full hard
steel," as raw material at the plants. Petitioners allege that
tariffs on the imported coils used as raw material made the
plants unprofitable. The subject firm did not import, however,
products like or competitive with either painted or galvanized
coil or sheet, the products manufactured at the Richmond
facilities.
United States imports of sheet and strip galvanized hot
dipped carbon steel decreased in 2001 compared with 2000 and
remained at relatively low levels, reaching only 12.3 percent of
shipments in January-April, 2002.
The ratio of United States imports of sheet and strip of all
metallic coated steel also was relatively low, reaching only 15.5
percent of shipments in the relevant periods.
A petition for NAFTA-Transitional Adjustment Assistance has
been filed. The identifying number is NAFTA-6320.
Conclusion
After careful review, I determine that all workers of MSC
Pinole Point Steel Inc., MSC Pre Finish Metals Inc., Richmond,
California are denied eligibility to apply for adjustment assis-
tance under Section 223 of the Trade Act of 1974.
Signed in Washington, D. C. this 21st day of October 2002.

/s/ Linda G. Poole

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