DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-53,598

HERCULES, INC.
HATTIESBURG, MISSISSIPPI


Certification Regarding Eligibility
To Apply for Worker Adjustment Assistance and
Alternative Trade 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)(A) of
Section 222 have been met.
The investigation was initiated on November 20, 2003 in
response to a petition filed by a company official on behalf of
workers at Hercules, Inc., Hattiesburg, Mississippi. The workers
at the subject firm produce rosin adhesives. The workers are
separately identifiable by product line.
The investigation revealed that production declined at the
subject firm from January through October 2003 when compared to the
same period in 2002. Workers are scheduled to be separated from
employment beginning in December 2003.
The Department of Labor surveyed the subject firm's only
customer regarding its purchases of rosin adhesives. This survey
revealed an increase in imports of rosin adhesives during the
period under investigation.
In accordance with Section 246 the Trade Act of 1974 (26 USC
2813), as amended, the Department of Labor herein presents the
results of its investigation regarding certification of eligibility
to apply for alternative trade adjustment assistance (ATAA) for
older workers.
In order for the Department to issue a certification of
eligibility to apply for ATAA, the group eligibility requirements
of Section 246 of the Trade Act must be met. The Department has
determined that in the case of Hercules, Inc., Hattiesburg,
Mississippi, the requirements of Section 246 have been met.
A significant number of workers are age 50 or over and possess
skills that are not easily transferable within the geographical
area. Competitive conditions within the industry are adverse.









Conclusion
After careful review of the facts obtained in the
investigation, I determine that increases of imports of articles
like or directly competitive with rosin adhesives produced at
Hercules, Inc., Hattiesburg, Mississippi contributed importantly to
the total or partial separation of workers and to the decline in
sales or production at that firm or subdivision. In accordance
with the provisions of the Act, I make the following certification:
"All workers of Hercules, Inc., Hattiesburg, Mississippi
producing rosin adhesives who became totally or partially
separated from employment on or after November 11, 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, and are also eligible to apply for
alternative trade adjustment assistance under Section 246 of
the Trade Act of 1974."
Signed in Washington, D. C. this 15th day of December, 2003

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