DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-41,832

ALCOA FUJIKURA LTD.
OPTICAL FIBER SYSTEMS
HOUSTON, MISSISSIPPI

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 July 15, 2002, and filed on behalf of workers at Alcoa
Fujikura Ltd., Optical Fiber Systems, Houston, Mississippi. The
workers produced fiber optic products for the telecommunication
industry.


The investigation revealed that sales, production, and
employment declined absolutely during the relevant period.
Operations at the subject firm ceased in February 2002.
The investigation further revealed that company imports of
fiber optic products for the telecommunication industry increased
absolutely during the relevant period.
Conclusion
After careful review of the facts obtained in the
investigation, I conclude that increases of imports of articles
like or directly competitive with fiber optic products for the
telecommunications industry produced by Alcoa Fujikura Ltd.,
Optical Fiber Systems, Houston, Mississippi, 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 Alcoa Fujikura Ltd., Optical Fiber Systems,
Houston, Mississippi, engaged in employment related to the
production of fiber optic products for the telecommunication
industry, who became totally or partially separated from
employment on or after April 29, 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 10th day of September, 2002.


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