DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-51,948

IRWIN INDUSTRIAL TOOL COMPANY
A DIVISION OF NEWELL RUBBERMAID
BEATRICE, NEBRASKA

Certification Regarding Eligibility
To Apply for Worker Adjustment Assistance

In accordance with Section 223 of the Trade Act of 1974 (19
USC 2273), the Department of Labor herein presents the results of
its 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 Trade Adjustment
Assistance, the group eligibility requirements in either paragraph
(a)(2)(A) or (a)(2)(B) of Section 222 of the Trade Act must be met.
It is determined in this case that the requirements of (a)(2)(B) of
Section 222 have been met.
The investigation was initiated June 4, 2003 in response to a
petition filed by a company official on behalf of workers at Irwin
Industrial Tool Company, a division of Newell Rubbermaid, Beatrice,
Nebraska. The workers at the subject facility produce industrial
hand tools; they are not separately identifiable by product line.
The investigation revealed that sales, production and
employment at the subject facility decreased absolutely from 2001
to 2002, and during the period of January through April, 2003 when
compared to the same period in 2002.
Furthermore, the investigation revealed that the preponderance
of declines in employment at the subject facility is related to a
shift in production of industrial hand tools to China and Taiwan.
Moreover, the Department of Labor has determined that company
imports of industrial hand tools have increased during the relevant
period.
Conclusion
After careful review of the facts obtained in the
investigation, I determine that there was a shift in production
from Irwin Industrial Tool Company, a division of Newell
Rubbermaid, Beatrice, Nebraska, to China and Taiwan of articles
that are like or directly competitive with those produced by the
subject firm, and there has been or is likely to be an increase in
imports of like or directly competitive articles.
In accordance with the provisions of the Act, I make the
following certification:
"All workers of Irwin Industrial Tool Company, a division of
Newell Rubbermaid, Beatrice, Nebraska who became totally or
partially separated from employment on or after June 3, 2002
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 in Washington, D. C. this 9th day of July, 2003.

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