DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-42,016

NATIONAL TORCH TIP, INC.
PITTSBURGH, 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 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 subdi-
vision have decreased absolutely; and

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



The investigation was initiated on August 26, 2002 in response
to a petition filed by the I.U.E. Local 632 on behalf of workers at
National Torch Tip, Inc., Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The workers
were engaged in the manufacture of torch tips for welding
equipment.
The investigation revealed that criterion (3) has not been
met.
The subject firm did not import like or directly competitive
products.
The Department of Labor surveyed major customers of the
subject firm regarding their purchases of torch tips for welding
products. Respondents reported no imports of any like or directly
competitive products throughout the period that the subject firm
was in operation.
Conclusion
After careful review, I determine that all workers of National
Torch Tip, Inc., Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania are denied eligibility to
apply for adjustment assistance under Section 223 of the Trade Act
of 1974.
Signed in Washington, D. C. this 21st day of November 2002


/s/Richard Church
RICHARD CHURCH
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance